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Research-to-Practice Bridge Event

Using Text Message Initiatives for Parent Engagement

Webinar
Thursday, May 19, 2021


Archived Resources

Webinar recordings

Introduction and Nudge Communications Through Emails

Texting Parents to Improve Elementary School Attendance

Communication With Middle School Staff & Families

Portland Public Schools

Q&A and Closing


Join us for a free webinar describing how schools, districts, and states can use text messages to engage families in their children’s education.

How do schools, districts, and states use text messages to engage families in their children’s education?

Research has shown that messaging via text can successfully change behavior. In addition, research indicates that increased parental involvement in children’s education leads to better academic, behavioral, and social outcomes for students and to better ratings on measures of climate and culture for schools. What’s more, parents report having better attitudes about their children’s education when they are more engaged.

This webinar will feature recent research and firsthand perspectives on using text messaging strategies for parent engagement and outreach. Candace Hester, PhD, of the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Southwest will discuss a parent communications study that REL Southwest is conducting in Arkansas. Anja Kurki, PhD, of the American Institutes for Research® (AIR®) will discuss findings and strategies about texting parents to improve student attendance. Hadley Bachman of the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center will discuss research on texting middle school parents. Practitioners Dunya Minoo and Kelli Mitchell from Portland Public Schools in Oregon will then share their experiences with using text messaging for parent outreach in their district.

Speakers:

  • Candace Hester, REL Southwest
  • Anja Kurki, American Institutes for Research
  • Hadley Bachman, Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center
  • Dunya Minoo, Portland Public Schools
  • Kelli Mitchell, Portland Public Schools

Partnership sponsor: Southwest College and Career Readiness Research Partnership

Who will benefit: This webinar is designed for a national audience of state education agency and local education agency staff.

Contact:
Lacy Wood
lwood@air.org