Family Partnership and Engagement

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is committed to supporting parents, families, educators, state and local leaders, and organizations that work with families to strengthen parent partnership for student success. Research shows the positive impact of family engagement for students, educators, schools and communities. 

Information and Resources

The Department is diligently working to provide parents and communities with information to support their conversations with schools, including the newly released materials below. (Disclaimer)

New Releases

• Let’s Talk Back to School: Sample Questions for Parents and Families to Help Build Strong Partnerships with Schools (English)
• Let’s Talk Everyday Attendance: Sample Questions for Parents and Families to Help Build Strong Partnerships with Schools (English)
• Family Engagement Learning Series Briefs
• Family Engagement Evidence Convening Recording

Other Parent-Focused Resources:

• A parent's guide [PDF, 20MB] to the Every Student Succeeds Act;
• This guide outlining parents' rights to their children's records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA);
• The parent guide to Section 504;
• Tools and resources for parents of students with disabilities from the Center for Parent Information & Resources
• Support for military-connected students and families;
• the English Learner Family Toolkit which helps families who are still learning English to choose the education services that meet their child's needs.