What Families Want and How to Best Engage Them

In today’s education landscape, districts face a daunting challenge: keeping students consistently in the classroom. Chronic absenteeism is rising. Staff are stretched thin. And families, despite their best intentions, often feel left out of the loop. The solution is to listen to what families need and work to increase family engagement in schools.

When schools partner with families, students are more likely to show up, stay engaged, feel supported, and thrive.

To gain comprehensive insights to address this solution, SchoolStatus conducted two complementary surveys: a nationwide family engagement report, surveying 1,047 K-12 families to uncover what they actually want from schools (and what’s getting in the way), and the 2024 Educator Report, surveying 1,020 educators, administrators, and families across the country.  Dr. Kara Stern, Director of Education and Engagement at SchoolStatus, then teamed up with YouthTruth’s Jennifer de Forest to unpack the key findings in their 8 Strategies for Building Stronger School-Family Partnerships webinar. 

With all the invaluable information gathered, let’s dig into the trends, tools, and tactics district leaders can use right now to build stronger school-family relationships that support better student outcomes.

The Communication Gap: Why Families Feel Disconnected

Educators and families agree that communication is essential, but the data reveals a disconnect:

• Only 25% of educators find it easy to connect with families
• 60% of families say they don’t receive regular updates about their child’s progress
• 78% of families feel unequipped to support learning at home

“Communication should not be the first casualty of busy schedules,” says Dr. Kara Stern, Director of Education and Engagement at SchoolStatus. “When families are informed and empowered, outcomes improve.”

What Families Actually Want

SchoolStatus’ family survey revealed four themes that districts can’t afford to ignore:

1. Proactive, Positive Outreach Matters

Most attendance messages go out only after a student has missed class. But more than 70% of families said they’d value updates that celebrate good attendance or note improvements. As Grace Spencer, product manager for Attend Campaigns, emphasized, “Recognition is a powerful motivator. Families want to feel seen, not scolded.”

2. Families Want to Partner—Not Just Receive Notices

An overwhelming 88% of families believe attendance is critical to student success, but those with younger children are less likely to see its importance. That’s a clear opportunity: early-grade communication can set the tone for lifelong habits.

3. Timely, Relevant Info Builds Trust

Families want updates they can act on—when it matters. More than 30% say messages aren’t tailored to their needs. That’s where unified tools like SchoolStatus Connect can help. Automatic translation, timely alerts, and family-preferred channels make engagement easier and more equitable.

4. Language and Access Still Create Barriers

Among multilingual families, 64% said communication is unclear or not in their preferred language. Dr. Stern didn’t mince words: “There’s no excuse for families to be left out. Access is equity. One student with a non-English-speaking guardian is all the reason you need to prioritize translation.”

Practical Advice from the Webinar Panel

Dr. Stern and Dr. de Forest offered concrete steps educators can take today:

• Start every relationship with a positive “hello.” Don’t wait for a problem to reach out.
• Be consistent and predictable. Weekly updates help reduce feelings of overwhelm and establish a consistent routine.
• Use the right tools. Automation and language support ensure that every family gets what they need without placing an extra burden on staff.
• Look at your data. Know who’s engaged and who’s not. Then act.

“When educators, families, and administrators work together, students thrive. It’s not about more messages—it’s about the right message, to the right person, at the right time.” — Dr. Kara Stern

How SchoolStatus Helps Districts Increase Family Engagement in Schools

SchoolStatus offers multiple tools designed to make school-home communication more effective, equitable, and efficient:

SchoolStatus Connect centralizes all communication—texts, emails, calls, and newsletters—into one platform, delivering messages in each family’s preferred language and format.

SchoolStatus Attend automates attendance outreach with positive, personalized messages that encourage consistency before problems escalate.

Smore Newsletters make it easy for educators to send beautiful, mobile-friendly updates without design experience.

For a deeper dive into what to look for in a comprehensive communications platform, check out The K-12 Buyer’s Guide to Communication Solutions.

The Bottom Line: Connection Fuels Attendance and Everything That Comes Next

The first step in any student’s journey is attending school. But sustained success depends on family connection. By investing in proactive and inclusive communication, school leaders can lay the groundwork for improved attendance, academic growth, and stronger community trust. When these factors are in place, you’ll notice an increase in family engagement in schools.

If you’re ready to move beyond reminders and start building genuine relationships with families, SchoolStatus can help. With tools that streamline outreach and clear the way for action, we support those who help students succeed.

Want actionable strategies you can implement right away? Download 5 Steps to Boost Family Engagement and Attendance for a quick-start guide rooted in real educator success.

Want More Insights?

Watch the full webinar on-demand to explore:

• What families really want from school communication
• How proactive strategies can prevent chronic absenteeism
• How to build trust and engagement through inclusive communication

If you’re working to improve attendance, increase engagement, or create more equitable family-school partnerships, this conversation is for you.

Need support increasing family engagement in your schools? Let’s talk about how SchoolStatus solutions can help you reach every family and drive student success.