CARSON CITY, Nev. – In May 2018, the Nevada Department of Education joined 12 other states to form a State Consortium on Family Engagement with the goal of each state establishing a coalition of stakeholders to develop and implement a birth to grade 12 family engagement framework.

Numerous studies over the years have found that family engagement positively impacts student outcomes in areas such as graduation rates, assessment scores, school attendance, and social-emotional skills, regardless of income and background (Henderson & Mapp, 2002).

“This initiative will bring parents, families, educators, and community members together to form a collective impact that will create a shared approach and definition for family engagement across the state,” said Alberto Quintero, who leads Family Engagement at the Nevada Department of Education. “Not only will the framework bring stakeholders together, it will provide schools and districts guidance and evidence-based practices and strategies in family engagement to help improve student achievement and make Nevada the fastest improving state in the nation.”

Among the coalition of stakeholders joining the Nevada Department of Education, several Nevada school districts, and parents in this effort are; Nevada’s Northwest, Northeastern, and Southern Regional Professional Development Programs; The Children's Cabinet; The Public Education Foundation; Opportunity 180; United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra; Nevada PEP; Boys Town; Clark County Black Caucus; the University of Nevada, Reno, Child and Family Research Center; and the Advisory Council for Family Engagement.

More information about the initiative and how to join is available at the Family Engagement Framework.