| dc.description.abstract | The Rural Schools Association of New York State represents the interests of small and rural districts and aims to bring attention, awareness, and advocacy to rural education. This project provided RSANY with the research and school-based evidence needed to best support rural middle school family-school partnerships. Information gathered highlights effective practices and supports in place pre-COVID and provides recommendations for improved methods revealed because of COVID. The study used an explanatory design mixed-methods approach to solicit opinions from families, teachers, and site administrators from six RSANY member schools across New York state. Data collected regarding the practices and activities that contributed to the success and limited the progress of family-school partnerships revealed a need for two-way communication and increased family involvement in decision-making opportunities. COVID response efforts included increased virtual meeting and communication options and an enhanced focus on social-emotional care and community collaboration, which all three stakeholder groups felt should extend into the future. Recommendations provided RSANY member schools with ideas to build and sustain strong family-school partnerships moving forward. | en_US |
