Family engagement is a collaborative and strengths-based process through which education professionals, families, and children build positive and goal-oriented relationships to support the needs of students with disabilities and increase student outcomes.   

Family Engagement Framework

The Family Engagement Framework outlines six key elements of family engagement derived from the Texas Education Agency’s Review and Support Self-Assessment Tool and the Effective Schools Framework.   For each of the six elements, activities and resources are presented that serve as points of reference for school administrators when school teams plan, implement, and evaluate family engagement practices that directly impact outcomes for students with disabilities.

Key elements

• Partnerships with Parents
• School Climate
• Build Capacity
• Enhanced Communication

• Community Connections 

• Implementation

The Framework is intended to be used by school administrators as a planning instrument for increasing and improving involvement of families of students receiving special education services.

Click here to download the Family Engagement Framework.

School Family Community Engagement Initiative

The School, Family and Community Engagement (SFCE) Grant/Initiative is designed to provide programs, resources, and an overall strategy for fostering authentic collaboration among schools, families, and communities in Texas around topics in special education and special populations. By establishing strong, internal processes with strategic and timely cross-communications, we will increase knowledge and understanding of special education services while improving buy-in and support from all stakeholders.

SPEDTex, the Special Education Information Center, offers assistance as well as resources to support families and educators as they work together to foster successful outcomes for students with disabilities.