1. Families as Partners in Education
About This LessonFamily engagement is one of the strongest predictors of student success. Children whose families are engaged earn higher grades, attend more regularly, and graduate at higher rates. P
Family Engagement: From Involvement to Partnership
Welcome to Youth Development
Young people are not problems to be solved. They are possibilities to be developed.
An 8-lesson video course on the seven principles of Positive Youth Development. Learn how to help young people build Competence, Confidence, Control, Connection, Coping, Character, and Contribution.
Before You Begin
Step 1: Read the article on Youth Development.
Read the Youth Development article (opens in Google Drive)
Step 2: Download the Youth Development Playbook. You’ll use it for reflection as you work through the videos.
Download the Youth Development Playbook (opens in Google Drive)
The 7 C’s, in one line each
- Competence — I can do it.
- Confidence — I believe I can do it.
- Control — I can manage myself.
- Connection — I belong.
- Coping — I can handle challenges.
- Character — I do what is right.
- Contribution — I make a difference.
When adults intentionally build these seven qualities, young people develop the foundation to thrive in school, work, relationships, and life.
How to Use This Course
Watch the videos in order. Use the Playbook to reflect after each video. Take your time with each principle — depth matters more than speed.
Lessons
2. What Do We Mean By Family Engagement
About This LessonFamily engagement is often confused with family involvement. Involvement is attending events. Engagement is building meaningful relationships, sharing responsibility for student succe
3. Why Family Engagement Matters More Than Ever
About This LessonIn a rapidly changing world, children need coordinated support more than ever. When families, schools, and community partners work together, children experience consistency, encourage
4. Families and Youth Agency
About This LessonFamily partnerships should support — not undermine — youth agency. Including children in conversations, modeling shared decision-making, and respecting their voice all help families b
5. Practical Ways Schools Can Engage Families
About This LessonSpecific, low-cost approaches: welcome families intentionally, communicate through multiple channels (phone, text, email, in-person), offer family learning opportunities, celebrate st
6. Build a Family Partnership Culture
About This LessonPartnership isn’t an event; it’s a culture. Built through trust, communication, and mutual respect. Listen first, focus on strengths, communicate regularly (not only when problems ari
7. Moving From Parent Involvement to True Partnership
About This LessonLow attendance at events doesn’t mean families don’t care. It means our model isn’t meeting them where they are. True partnership creates multiple pathways for engagement — beyond eve
8. Simple Ways Programs Can Connect With Families
About This LessonQuick, repeatable practices for expanded learning programs: a positive phone call home in week 1, a brief text update mid-program, a celebration moment at the end. Small actions build
9. Helping Families Support Learning at Home
About This LessonPractical guidance for families: open-ended questions (‘What did you learn today? What was hard?’), celebrating effort over correctness, and using mistakes as part of growth. Supporti
10. Building Trust With Hard-to-Reach Families
About This LessonWhen families are hard to reach, the answer isn’t more outreach — it’s different outreach. Identify the barriers (time, language, prior negative experiences, trust). Apply principles
11. Celebrating Family Strengths and Culture
About This LessonEvery family possesses strengths. Effective partnerships honor and respect cultural backgrounds and traditions while seeking common ground in supporting children. Cultural responsiven