APS Parent Engagement Letter

The Atlanta Public School District (APS) works to ensure families are full partners in their child’s education. Family Engagement builds genuine relationships with families to support their overall well-being to include students’ learning and healthy development both at home and at school. We believe when families are engaged and partnerships are created with a common focus, it leads to helping children grow and thrive.
- adopted from childwelfare.gov

What is Title I?

Title I is a federal program that provides funding to local school districts to help ensure all children in Title I schools meet the state’s high academic standards. Title I, Part A provides for substantive family engagement at every level of a student’s education. Section 1116 of the ESSA contains the primary Title I, Part A requirement for schools and school systems is to involve families in their children’s education.

What is Family Engagement?

Family engagement is the participation of families in regular, two-way, meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, ensuring that they:

Assist in their child’s learning;
Remain actively involved in their child’s education;
Become full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees; and
Carry out other activities, as described in Section 1116 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Jointly Developed

The Family Engagement statement is jointly developed with families of children attending APS Title I schools. The statement is distributed at schools and on district and school websites.

Parents and Guardians may submit feedback about the statement by participating in the district’s annual Family Engagement Survey distributed each year via local school newsletters, the district website, and APS social media channels.

We Value Collaboration

Strengthening Our Schools

The APS Office of Federal Programs in partnership with the Office of Family Engagement provides technical assistance and support to all Title I schools on effective family engagement practices as well as Title I requirements. Schools are provided with resources and training to build the capacity of their staff, parents, and families. The Office of Federal Programs and the Office of Family Engagement conduct regular school visits to monitor program implementation and provide on-site technical support designed to enhance family engagement in APS.

Reservation of Funds

APS will reserve greater than the required one percent from the total amount of Title I funds allocated for the 2025-2026 school year to carry out family engagement requirements listed in Section 1116 of the ESSA. APS will ask parents and guardians for feedback on using the one percent for family engagement activities by including a question in the district’s annual Family Engagement Survey. APS will distribute funds to schools based on poverty counts multiplied by a Parent Family Engagement per-pupil allocation. This method ensures priority is given to schools with the highest needs. APS will provide clear guidance and communication to assist each Title I school in developing and adequately utilizing Title I funds to support their needs assessments and family engagement programs.

Accessibility

Family Engagement Evaluation

The Family Engagement Office works with Title I schools to evaluate the effectiveness of family engagement programs through the district’s annual Family Engagement Survey, distributed each year via local school newsletters, the district website, and APS social media channels. Title I schools also gather feedback on their Family Engagement Plans and programs through ongoing surveys and the in-person annual Spring Title I Input Meeting hosted at each school site.

We Value Capacity Building

Building Capacity for School Staff
Building Capacity for Parents and Families

Building Capacity for School Staff

APS hosts regular training opportunities for school staff and principals that highlight Title I, Part A Family Engagement requirements. These training sessions focus on strategies to increase family engagement, improve school-family communication, create a welcoming environment, improve two-way communication, and build relationships with families and the community. Training sessions may be redelivered to school level staff to further enhance their capacity to engage families as equal partners in their child’s education.

Additionally, APS encourages school staff to attend local and national professional conferences on effective Family Engagement. Conferences provide an opportunity for schools to network with other districts and learn best practices in the field of family engagement.

APS Title I Schools use the Academic Parent Teacher Teams (APTT) Family Engagement model. APTT is an evidence-based program wherein teachers and families partner to address academic goals through at-home learning activities. Training and support for the APTT model is provided through the Georgia Department of Education.

Building Capacity for Parents and Families

APS provides families with information about the Title I program in an understandable format, and to the extent practical, in a language parents can understand. Residential facilities in APS are included in Family Engagement correspondence and activities. APS works with Title I schools to help families understand:

Academic expectations for student learning and progress;
Specific information related to family participation;
The State’s challenging academic standards, local and state assessments, including alternative assessments; and
Use of the APS student information system Infinite Campus, and other digital resources, including the harms of copyright piracy.

APS collaborates with federal and state funded preschool programs within the district and locally. In the spring, schools host Kindergarten Round-Up, Middle and High School Transition Nights, and College and Career Fairs, providing information to families that helps prepare students for a smooth transition into the next stage of academic learning.

We Value Community Input

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Opportunities for Meaningful Parent Consultation

Parents, family, and community input is essential to the Title I, Part A Family Engagement program. All families are invited to participate in the following opportunities to share their ideas and suggestions to help the district, schools, and students reach our student achievement goals.

GO Teams

Family Engagement

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