Link Student Learning Between Home and School

"There is a positive and convincing relationship between parental engagement and benefits for students, including improved academic achievement. This relationship holds across families of all economic, racial/ethnic, and educational backgrounds and for students at all ages.” – Karen Mapp

What is this best practice area? Link to this section

Linking learning between home and school means exchanging strategies and communicating about what works best to support children’s learning both at home and in school. This communication keeps both parties in the partnership informed. Linking learning between home and school creates a flow of information between families and schools to support student success.

Families might ask their child’s teacher about:

How their child is doing academically
What their child is learning
What skills are required for students in all subjects at each grade
Tools to support their child’s learning at home

In addition, families can share information about their child (e.g. what’s happening at home, student’s learning style, behavior at home) with school staff to support their child’s academic goals. It is important for families to have a relationship with their child’s teacher so information can be shared easily.

As a reminder, you are your child’s first teacher, and your child is always learning! You know your child better than anyone, and any time you spend supporting your child’s academic, social and developmental growth is valuable.

Make This Best Practice Area Come to Life Link to this section

1. Ask Teachers about Student Learning Goals

2. Prepare Questions to Ask and Information to Share with Teachers at the Beginning of the School Year

3. Tips for Parent-Teacher Conferences

Ask Teachers about Your Student's Learning Goals Link to this section

Use this tool to find suggested questions to ask teachers to support linking learning between home and school.

Suggested information to share with your child's teacher:

Your child’s strengths
Favorite things you like to do with your child when you’re at home
Your child’s favorite things to to
Your child’s interest and hobbies
Health conditions
Any major changes in your home
Your child’s personality traits
Any fears and concerns about your child this school year
What do you hope your child's teacher will communicate with you about

Tips for Parent-Teacher Conferences Link to this section

Before your parent-teacher conference, make a list of questions to ask your child’s teacher.

You can also review the SFUSD Parent-Teacher Conference tip sheet, available in 5 languages.

Return Home Link to this section

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