WASHINGTON, DC --In an effort to help schools and families work together to support learning and raise student achievement, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today introduced the Family Engagement in Education Act. 

Research shows that increasing parental engagement in schools enhances student success in the classroom, improves attendance, and reduces the dropout rate.  The Family Engagement in Education Act promotes effective family engagement strategies and programs at the national, state, and local levels to ensure that all students are on track to be career and college-ready.  This bipartisan legislation would double education resources dedicated to family engagement from $145 million to 290% million, or 2% of total Title I funding.

"This isn't just about parents helping their own kids, it is about improving schools and ultimately strengthening communities.  Improving teaching and learning in our schools means fostering strong family-school partnerships.  This legislation will build our capacity to do that," said Reed.  "Increasing resources to strengthen parental involvement is a smart and effective strategy to improve the school community and our economy, which depends on a well-educated workforce."

The Family Engagement in Education Act supports local partnerships between community-based organizations and schools and districts to improve the quality of family engagement practices.  It would help implement best practices, such as: parent leadership academies, placing family engagement coordinators in schools, and professional development for educators on how to partner with families.

"We thank Senator Reed for his commitment to family engagement in education and the introduction of this legislation," says Charles J. "Chuck" Saylors, National PTA President.  "The Family Engagement in Education Act seeks to ensure that all families - regardless of neighborhood or income level - have a seat at the table when it comes to decisions that impact their child's school and learning."

The bill also seeks to provide greater support for family engagement activities to reach more parents by restructuring the Parent Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs).  Using proven methods from the best parental-involvement research, new statewide Family Engagement Centers will focus on providing high-quality services and innovative practices to effectively reach more families, particular those in high-need communities.

In 2010, the Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN), which supports Reed's bill, received over $725,000 in federal funding to help 26 school districts throughout the state and reach over 104,000 families, providing training and technical assistance to parents, teachers, and school administrators.

The Family Engagement in Education Act is cosponsored in the Senate by Chris Coons (D-DE) and has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Todd Russell Platts (R-PA).