In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools across the country have been working tirelessly to help students recover from unprecedented disruptions. Billions in federal recovery funds have been spent on tutoring, summer programs, and academic interventions. Yet, despite these efforts, many students—especially those from historically marginalized communities—continue to struggle. Academic outcomes remain below pre-pandemic levels, and the emotional toll of the crisis still lingers in classrooms and homes. But what if one of the most powerful tools for recovery isn’t a new program or policy, but something more fundamental? In our recent NWEA research brief, we argue that family engagement is not just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have for long-term recovery and resilience in education.
Families matter
For decades, schools have talked about the importance of parental involvement. But too often, that involvement has been narrowly defined: attending a parent-teacher conference, signing a permission slip, showing up for a school play.
Our brief challenges educators to think bigger. Family engagement is about building authentic, equitable partnerships between schools, families, and communities. It’s about recognizing families not as passive recipients of information, but as co-educators and co-leaders in their children’s learning journey. Our brief draws a clear distinction between traditional parental involvement and a more expansive vision of family engagement.
Family engagement is…
- A collective benefit for schools, families, and communities
- Focused on whole-child development
- A partnership valuing family strengths
- Ongoing, two-way communication
- Shaped by systemic factors
Family engagement is not…
- Solely focused on school-centric goals
- Limited to academic performance
- Passive participation in school-led activities
- Infrequent, one-way updates
- Attributed to individual attitudes or behaviors
This shift in mindset is crucial. When families are engaged in meaningful ways, students thrive—not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. Research shows that family engagement is linked to better literacy and math outcomes, stronger socioemotional skills, higher graduation rates, and increased college attendance. In short, when families are part of the equation, everyone benefits.
The participation puzzle
Despite the benefits, many schools have struggled to get families involved in COVID recovery programs. Surveys show low participation in tutoring and summer school, leading some to conclude that families simply aren’t interested.
In one national survey, only 23 percent of parents expressed interest in summer school and 28 percent in tutoring. At first glance, those numbers seem discouraging. But a closer look reveals a more nuanced story. Interest was actually higher among Black and Hispanic families—those most impacted by the pandemic. And the survey didn’t ask about the barriers that might prevent participation: work schedules, transportation, language access, or even a lack of information.
Another survey, conducted by EdTrust, paints a more detailed picture. It found that many families weren’t receiving timely or clear information about their child’s academic progress. Fewer than half of parents said they knew whether their child was meeting grade-level expectations. Only 41 percent had been told about available academic supports like tutoring. Teachers, for their part, reported limited time to communicate with families and a need for more training in how to do so effectively.
The takeaway? Families aren’t opting out—they’re being left out.
Barriers that go beyond the school gate
To truly engage families, schools must first understand the barriers they face. And those barriers are often more complex than we realize.
Some are practical: a parent working two jobs may not be able to attend a midday meeting. A family without reliable transportation may struggle to get to school events. Language barriers, childcare needs, and digital access all play a role.
Others are emotional or historical. Some families carry painful memories of their own school experiences. Others may feel unwelcome or unheard in school spaces. And for families affected by systemic issues—like incarceration, immigration status, or housing instability—schools can feel more like sites of surveillance than support.
These challenges are real. But they’re not insurmountable.
Building bridges, not walls
So what can schools do? Our brief offers a roadmap rooted in empathy, equity, and action.
First, schools must listen. Conduct surveys or focus groups to understand what families need and what’s getting in the way. Don’t assume. Ask.
Second, schools must adapt. Offer flexible meeting times. Provide virtual options. Translate materials. Partner with community organizations to support families holistically.
Third, schools must communicate better—and more often. One of the most striking findings in the brief is the disconnect between grades and actual academic performance. During the pandemic, many districts adopted “do no harm” grading policies, leading to grade inflation. As a result, families may believe their child is doing fine based on report cards, even when test scores suggest otherwise.
To bridge this gap, schools should provide frequent, actionable updates, not just during report card season. Text messages, weekly emails, and real-time dashboards can help families stay informed. But it’s not just about the data; it’s also about the story the data tells. Schools should explain what assessments measure, what the results mean, and what steps families can take to support learning at home.
Finally, schools must invite families in—not just to events, but to decision-making. Too often, family engagement is limited to surface-level involvement. But families want more. They want to shape the policies and practices that affect their children. They want to be heard.
Looking forward
The road to recovery is long. But it’s also an opportunity, a chance to rebuild not just what we had, but something better.
Family engagement is not a silver bullet. But it is a powerful lever. When schools and families work together, students don’t just catch up—they move forward.
