Family Engagement in Practice: A Q&A with Superintendent Dr. Robin Cochran

Can you tell me about what the Family Friendly Certification process was like from the perspective of you and your staff? 

The process of pursuing the Family Friendly Certification was both a rewarding and reflective journey for our team. From the outset, this certification aligned naturally with our district’s core values and commitments. We’ve always prioritized family engagement and fostering a supportive, inclusive environment for our students and families. So, in many ways, this work felt like an extension of what we’ve been doing for years. However, articulating this work in such a detailed, structured way—using rubrics and specific indicators—proved to be a deeper, more nuanced task than we initially expected.

The collaborative aspect of the process was particularly important. There were numerous discussions among our staff and community partners to refine what we call our “look-fors” and ensure they truly represented what we were trying to achieve. These discussions allowed us to bring in various perspectives and expertise, leading to a shared understanding of what family engagement should look like in practice. Every team member had the opportunity to provide input, ensuring that the process was truly collaborative and reflective of the diversity of our school community.

At times, it was easy to feel confident about the direction we were headed, but then, upon reviewing the rubrics and the required details, we realized we had to pause and make sure everything we thought we were doing could be backed up by data.  Many times, I would ask, “can you triangulate the data or show me, don’t just tell me” … and honestly, I know this can be frustrating to hear when the schools are the “boots on the ground” people getting it done and then I am asking these questions.  This was a challenging yet valuable exercise, as it helped us to not only articulate the work but also to ensure that we were measuring it accurately.

This back-and-forth of progressing and reflecting caused us to truly examine our practices in detail. It required a careful balance between what we felt we were doing well and the evidence needed to support those beliefs. The process wasn’t always linear, and there were certainly moments when we had to rework aspects of our approach. However, this iterative process led to a deeper understanding of what family engagement really means and how we can better serve our students and families.

In the end, the Family Friendly Certification process has made us more intentional in our practices and has given us the tools to ensure that we are continuously improving. It helped us refine our focus, align our efforts with the district’s values, and become more data-informed in our family engagement strategies. It has also built building level leadership from principals, teacher leaders, and students in giving them an avenue for authentic voice and the ability to provide impactful, empowered input about decisions and processes that directly have a result on our district. 

How has becoming Family Friendly Schools impacted the school environments in your district?  

Becoming a Family Friendly School has had a profound and positive impact on the school environments in our district. While we had many successes along the way, we also found ourselves revisiting our methods to ensure we were aligning with the core values of our district, and more importantly, staying true to the needs of our community. 

One of the most rewarding outcomes has been the creation of an environment that prioritizes open dialogue with our families. We now have a better understanding of their needs, aspirations, and challenges, which enables us to communicate in a more meaningful and strategic way. This open communication has allowed us to build a stronger relationship with families, giving them a sense of ownership and involvement in their children’s education. 

The certification has also impacted how we communicate and brand our district’s story. We now have a more refined message that tells the story of how our schools are creating an inclusive, supportive environment for all families. This story is woven into our communications and public-facing messaging, ensuring that we are not just telling families that they are important, but also showing them in the way we engage with them daily. 

Becoming a Family Friendly School has not only strengthened our school environments but also deepened our commitment to authentic, meaningful family engagement. It has provided us with the tools and knowledge to continuously improve and better serve our families, while also aligning our practices with our district’s broader strategic goals. The journey has been challenging at times, but the results are undeniable: a more engaged community, stronger relationships, and a deeper understanding of what it means to truly be family-friendly. 

What would you say to a principal or superintendent considering going through the Family Friendly School certification process?  

I would highly recommend it. This process is not just about earning a certification; it’s a valuable opportunity to reflect deeply on your district’s practices and enhance your commitment to family engagement. For us, the journey of pursuing this certification was both challenging and rewarding, and the impact it has had on our district has been far-reaching. 

From a district leadership perspective, the Family Friendly Schools certification aligns naturally with our core values and strategic goals. Our district has always prioritized family engagement and creating a supportive, inclusive environment for students and families. The process gave us a structured, data-driven way to articulate and refine these efforts, making us more intentional in our approach. However, the true value of the certification lies in the way it helped us align these practices with ongoing evaluation and accountability. 

For superintendents, there’s a great advantage in using the FFS certification process as a measure in Principal Growth Plans (PGPs) and aligning it with your own evaluation with the Board of Education. It creates a seamless connection between family engagement efforts, school leadership goals, and district-wide strategic expectations. For example, our principals’ PGPs are now directly tied to their ability to engage families effectively, and this certification process has provided us with a clear, consistent framework for measuring that success. It adds a layer of accountability to leadership practices, ensuring that family engagement is not just a nice-to-have but a core expectation that is continuously monitored and improved. 

This alignment between expectations and monitoring has been invaluable. It ensures that the work is not siloed at the building level but is integrated into a larger district-wide culture of engagement. By having a clear rubric for what family-friendly practices look like and aligning them with both leadership evaluations and strategic district goals, the certification process has created a more streamlined, cohesive approach to family engagement that is easy to track, measure, and adjust. 

The process itself encourages collaboration at all levels—teachers, principals, district leaders, and community members. These collaborative efforts have built stronger relationships within our team and with families, which has positively impacted the climate in our schools. Additionally, the opportunity for open dialogue with families, where we get to learn about their hopes and dreams for their children, is invaluable. This has been crucial in shaping decisions and practices that are truly family-centered. 

Another aspect worth highlighting is how the process encourages schools to think critically about their work. As we went through the steps of the certification, we found ourselves revisiting our assumptions and ensuring that what we thought we were doing could be backed up by data. This emphasis on measuring our work has not only made us more data-driven but has also ensured that our family engagement practices are effective and evidence-based. For superintendents, the ability to show that these efforts are backed by both qualitative and quantitative data makes it easier to report progress to the Board and demonstrate how the district is meeting its strategic objectives. 

For any superintendent considering the Family Friendly Schools certification, I would say it’s an investment in your district’s future. It’s an opportunity to enhance family engagement, build stronger school climates, and align leadership practices with district-wide goals. The process supports both continuous improvement and accountability—for your principals, your district leaders, and for yourself as a superintendent. The alignment of expectations, the collaborative nature of the work, and the ongoing monitoring make it not only a valuable certification but a seamless part of your district’s overall growth and development.