Working so that Everyone Wins! Family-School Partnerships with Dr. Karen Mapp

In this episode, we (Mark Raffler and Sarah Shoemaker) connect with Dr. Karen Mapp, a Senior Lecturer on Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and former Faculty Director of the HGSE Education Policy and Management Master’s Program.  Dr. Mapp has authored several books on Family Engagement Partnerships - Her latest book:  Everyone Wins!:  The Evidence for Family-School Partnerships & Implications for Practice is the focus of our podcast today. 

Here is a quick brief of our conversation:

Sarah starts the dialogue with Dr. Mapp by prompting her to tell us about use of the term family-school partnerships in her work.   She shares the co-designed working definition of family engagement developed by State Department of Education, families, and educators in Connecticut - “Family Engagement is a full, equal, and equitable partnership among the adult caregivers, community members, and practioners.”  Dr. Karen Mapp talks about the relational trust that is required for full partnership.

 Mark adds to the dialogue by asking:  “What are some key ideas to keep in mind in relation family engagement?” Dr. Mapp leans into Larry Ferlazzo’s words - “Family Engagment leads with our ears.”  She describes how the partnership builds trust by listening and talking with families - instead of talking at families.  Dr. Karen Mapp emphasizes that we need to do a better job of preparing preservice teachers for family engagement and then offer this professional learning for our current practitioners as well.

Sarah responds:  What are some key components to move towards practicing two-way communication?  Dr. Mapp talks about moving past system structures that are set up with deficit mindsets towards embracing the fact that families do care about their children.  Once families are seen as the geniuses that they are for the funds of knowledge they hold, we can create these deep community partnerships.  Taking on the attitude that families are valued and equal partners makes us as educators better practitioners.

Mark prompts:  “You’ve reference so many studies in your work.  Share with us a study or two that stands out.”  Dr. Karen Mapp shares 40 studies in her book Everyone Wins.  She highlights the Botswana study and the impact on families through this simple text message practice to communicate with home environments.  The second study featured by Dr. Mapp today is the parent-teacher home visit model study.

Following our normal podcast protocol, we ask for resources for educators to learn more about family engagement and encourage Dr. Karen Mapp to highlight some departing words for our listeners
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Please note the audio used as an introduction and in transitions in this podcast is under the Creative Common License and attribution is given as follows:Medicine by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6256-medicineLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/