Abstract
Family Mathematics Nights and Family Literacy Nights are much-anticipated events in communities. These opportunities engage families with their child's learning in fun and interactive ways. Educators, both preservice and practicing teachers, connect with families in schools during the events to provide support. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person family events were not possible. Therefore, virtual family events were created, and the benefits were clear. This catalyst opened the potential for these events to continue, especially for families of children with disabilities. This chapter will include the benefits of pursuing these events in both an in-person and virtual manner and practical steps for implementing these events.
TopBackground
Epstein (2019) communicates a means for embracing family engagement in a framework of “overlapping spheres” of influence in a child’s education, including schools, family, and community. The student as the center of the overlapping spheres is a key component to the extent at which the spheres will draw together or push apart (Epstein, 2019). Parent attitudes have a direct impact on student achievement (Kessinger, 2014) and could indirectly affect the overlapping spheres.
Planning and implementing educational events help to bring these three spheres closer together to jointly contribute to student learning success. Theoretically, schools would work in this joint relationship to provide learning opportunities which foster family-like approaches to learning and break down barriers between schools, communities, and families (Baker, 2013; Passmore & Zarate, 2019). Morrell and Bennett-Armistead (2013) also documented the benefits of incorporating these essential elements into Teacher Education Programs (TEPs). Therefore, despite the location, events such as FMN and FLN operate within the three spheres of influence to promote growth and development of each student in conjunction with community and family involvement.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Family Events: A school organized event created with the purpose of engaging families with their child’s learning.
Family Mathematics Night (FMN): A school-organized event where families, students, and educators gather to learn and practice mathematical concepts through interactive, hands-on activities.
Teacher Education Program: College-based professional development provided to students prior to them entering the workforce officially.
Family Engagement: A multi-faceted communication event where families, schools, and communities work together for the benefit of students as the central focus.
Preservice Teachers: Individuals attending college to receive training to become teachers.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL): A teaching framework that considers all people’s needs by providing various ways for students to learn through engagement, representation, action and expression.
Virtual Events: A school organized engagement event for families that is held through a virtual platform.
Students with Disabilities: Any child with a disability who receives educational support from a school district.
Family Literacy Night (FLN): A school-organized event where families and students gather to learn literacy topics together through fun and engaging activities.
Overlapping Spheres: Intersection of the efforts of families, schools, and communities to benefit students primarily in academic settings.
Individualized Education Plan (IEP): A United States of America federally mandated, goal-based plan created for a student with disabilities that guides their services, accommodations, modifications, and other educational needs.
COVID-19 Pandemic: A deadly illness that affected the global population and resulted in the closure of most schools and public places.