Platts Seeks to Boost Student Achievement Through Better Partnerships Between Parents and Schools

Washington, D.C. – Realizing that meaningful education reforms will be unsustainable without true partnerships between schools and parents, U.S. Congressman Todd Platts (PA-19) introduced legislation Wednesday that helps schools better engage parents to support children’s education success.

“Consistent family engagement in a child’s education can improve student achievement and enhance educational opportunities,” said Congressman Platts. “If we are serious about preparing our nation’s children for higher education and, ultimately, their role in the workforce, it is essential that families are an integral part of those efforts.”

Family engagement is a cost-effective way to increase student achievement and turn around struggling schools.  Studies have shown that schools would have to spend more than $1,000 dollars per pupil to achieve the same results and recent surveys show that while teachers identify engaging parents as one of the top factors in improving education, it is also the area where they feel the least prepared and least satisfied with their performance. 

The Family Engagement in Education Act leverages existing federal education investments to give school districts the tools to better engage parents and raise student achievement.  This legislation provides flexibility to states by improving Title I fund implementation and fostering better coordination between the state educational agency, parents, teachers, local school districts, and local community based organizations serving schools and families. This flexibility is designed to empower local school districts, in partnership with community-based organizations, to implement innovative and research-based family engagement programs and practices. 

The Family Engagement in Education Act, which is co-sponsored by U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04) is currently pending before the House Education and Workforce Committee.  Congressman Platts is a member of that committee and currently serves on the Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education and the Higher Education & Workforce Training subcommittees.