IMPACT | Improving student outcomes by bridging the “disconnect gap” between families and schools
Since HCM’s founding, our K-12 team has focused on parent engagement as a lever to improve student outcomes and create more equitable education systems
We know that parent engagement is a crucial indicator to the outcomes of students
Research shows that high parent engagement leads to better student behavior, higher academic achievement, and enhanced social skills and mental wellbeing. We believe that when parents and schools work together in support of improving the learning and development of children and adolescents, educational outcomes for all students are improved through diverse learning environments and the fostering of engagement in local communities.
We have worked closely
with several state education agencies on parent engagement strategies and more effective communication outreach with the families and communities they serve
Texas Education Agency
We conducted parent research on TEA’s score report and school accountability report. This led to a partnership on the Log In, Learn More campaign.
We also consulted on www.texasassessment.gov and created messaging, talking points, and other communications materials for the Commissioner as he communicated the value and importance of the STAAR assessment to parents.
The campaign reached more than 1.2 million parents in the initial rollout and in 202, saw a 100% increase in unique logins.
Using Learning Heroes’ Parent-Teacher Planning Tool template, we co-created a Texas version along with supporting materials for the implementation of HB 4545, which focuses on new family engagement policies imposed by the legislature on schools and districts.
Currently, we are partnering with Texas 2036 on a body of research to better understand the value proposition of the STAAR as well as parents’ expectations around COVID recovery.
Tennessee Department of Education
We conducted parent research to gauge parent perspectives on the return-to-school and their concerns about the 2022-2023 school year.
We also examined the extent to which Tennessee parent perspectives on year-end tests and information sources align with nationwide data and explored the log-in process for the TCAP Family Portal and uncover parent reactions to the information the Portal provides.
We helped assess the TCAP Family Portal communications materials in terms of helpfulness, clarity, and messaging and provided recommendations to the Department on strategies for more effective communication with families on their student’s academic progress.
California Department of Education
We partnered with the California Department of Education and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium to create a website, Starting Smarter, that effectively communicates the value proposition of the statewide assessments to parents and families.
The site helps parents interpret their child’s Smarter Balanced score report and use it as a tool to better understand their child’s grade-level performance and support learning at home.
We also created a turn-key training session for teachers to help them understand the components of the assessment and score reports in an effort to facilitate stronger communication between parents and teachers.
We worked directly with CDE to co-create parent communications around learning loss during COVID and the need for greater family engagement. We partnered with CDE’s communication’s lead to develop a ‘Family Style Guide,’ which outlines effective language for use in materials intended for external audiences in order to meet parents where they are with information they can use.
Lastly, on behalf of the Deputy Superintendent, we reviewed, analyzed, and made recommendations on all of their existing parent-facing communications related to assessments.
HCM has partnered with Learning Heroes since 2016 on releasing annual reports centered around parent research
Learning Heroes is a leading education non-profit focused on equipping parents to support their child’s success in school and to helping state education agencies, school districts and advocacy organizations in meeting parents where they are. Learning Heroes was co-founded by HCM K-12 principal and managing director, Cindi Williams, and she currently serves as a senior advisor and strategic partner to the organization.
