Families as Partners in Student Success

The topic of student success can easily become a focus on curriculum, technology, or teaching strategies. But one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—factors in student success is much closer to home: their families. 

Families are more than just “stakeholders” in education—they are districts’ strongest partners. They know their children best, they bring unique insights into their needs, and they care deeply about their growth and success. When schools treat families as partners, not just participants, students benefit in profound ways.

And while families may look different for every child—some are chosen, some inherited, some a mix of both—the constant is that children thrive when caring adults are invested in their lives.

Why Parents and Families Matter in Education

Decades of research show what educators already know—when families are engaged, students do better (in and out of the classroom.)

Research shows, when families get involved and engaged in their child’s education, students are more likely to graduate, earn higher grades, improve their attendance, and go to college.

When school districts and families work in partnership, the results go beyond academics. Families set high expectations, nurture motivation, and provide emotional grounding. They know when a child is struggling, what inspires them, and what barriers may be holding them back. That perspective is invaluable to teachers and schools.

Examples of what research tells us:

• Families who hold high expectations and aspirations for their children fuel stronger academic outcomes.
• Communication and participation in school life help students stay engaged and see school as a place where they belong.
• Balanced homework support fosters independence while still showing care.
• Emotional and practical support from families is particularly vital for underserved groups or students with special challenges.
• Beyond test scores, family engagement builds confidence, motivation, and healthy behavior.
  

The Importance of Meeting Families Where They Are

Engaging families effectively means understanding the diverse ways they experience life and learning in and out of the classroom. School districts that meet families where they are create stronger partnerships and better support for the whole child. Here are a few things to consider:

Digital Accessibility & Inclusion (ADA & Beyond)

• Ensure websites, portals, and communications meet accessibility standards (screen-reader compatibility, alt text, high contrast, captioned videos, keyboard navigation).
• Provide multiple access points—don’t assume every family has strong broadband or devices
• Consider a mobile-first approach: Design resources so they’re easy to access on smartphones, which many families rely on over laptops/view materials on primarily.
• Assistive tech compatibility: Check that resources work with common tools like screen readers, speech-to-text, or translation apps.
• Regularly audit communication methods for barriers and update practices accordingly
  

Linguistic Inclusion

• Translate materials into the primary languages of the community and offer real-time interpretation options
• Plain language: Even within English, avoid jargon and use simple, clear language. Pair text with visuals or icons to aid understanding
• Multilingual digital tools: Use platforms that allow toggling between languages, or offer side-by-side bilingual versions of materials
• Family language ambassadors: Consider recruiting bilingual staff or community volunteers to serve as liaisons
  

Cultural Responsiveness & Inclusion

• Representation in materials: Use images, stories, and examples that reflect the community’s cultural and familial diversity.
• Offer flexible engagement options: varied meeting times, informal gatherings, and virtual participation—recognizing how cultural differences can impact how families engage with schools or organizations.
• Be mindful of cultural or religious holidays, fasting periods, and childcare responsibilities.
  

Peachjar Bridges the Gap

Peachjar makes these strategies easier to implement by giving districts a single, district-approved and accessible hub for school and community communication. Instead of families searching through multiple sources, everything is centralized in one trusted place—digitally delivered, mobile-friendly, and ADA compliant. Peachjar helps districts ensure distributions to their communities are more accessible, equitable, and compliant. With AiDA, our patent-pending AI-assisted accessibility solution, districts can:

• Convert PDFs, PNGs, and JPGs into fully accessible flyers
• Ensure families using screen readers and other assistive technologies have equal access
• Offer translations in over 100 languages—no extra steps required
• Eliminate the need for complicated, time-consuming training on making compliant documents

Additionally, because the platform is built for use on phones, tablets, and desktops, Peachjar meets families where they already access information—reducing friction and increasing the chance that important notices are seen and acted upon. Oh, and with a digital platform, printing and distribution costs are reduced (plus the reduced environmental impact of paper), which can free up district resources for other inclusion efforts and programs.

Peachjar also provides districts with engagement metrics and flyer analytics so districts can see who’s being reached, measure participation, and follow up where engagement is low — turning distribution into insight that supports equity and targeted outreach. 

How to Use Peachjar to Fill Inclusion Gaps

To maximize inclusivity, districts can extend Peachjar’s impact by:

• Using plain language and visuals in flyers to support a wide range of literacy levels.
• Tracking flyer analytics to identify engagement patterns and follow up with families who may need additional outreach.
• Maintaining alternative communication channels (phone calls, text, or in-person) for families without consistent internet access.
• Offering training for community partners on best practices—like creating accessible PDFs, adding alt text, and using images that reflect cultural diversity.

With these strategies, school districts can do more than just communicate with families—they create authentic partnerships that empower every student on their path to success.