equity themes > family and community voice



Family and Community Voice


Equity Wheel asset based system

Aligned LCFF Priority: Priority 3 Family Involvement.

The Problem

Many African American, American Indian, and Latinx families find schools to be indifferent to their concerns, ideas, and presence. They report experiencing racism, bias, and judgmental attitudes in their interactions with school personnel. Likewise, in many educational communities, Black, and Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) experience educational disparities in access and opportunities, which directly diminishes their trust in schools and willingness to interact with school personnel. To address this issue, families and communities need to be invited to participate in the educational process (Milner, 2007; Howard and Reynolds, 2008; Reynolds, 2010).


The Definition

Students thrive when families and community members participate in and contribute to student learning. When students have positive role models who promote their success, students feel more confident, take more challenging courses, and improve academically.


OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD FAMILY AND COMMUNITY VOICE

  • Identify and create policies that are supportive of all children
  • Recognize and respect the diversity of responsibilities in different families and cultures
  • Acknowledge and build in supports for families with adults and older students working multiple jobs or non-traditional hours
  • Welcome and intentionally engage families in school systems
  • Create safe spaces for listening, healing, and relationship-building, especially for adults and families who may feel misunderstood or have had negative experiences with American institutions

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