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IL MTSS Network Winter Newsletter

Our quarterly newsletter is dedicated to sharing the resources and information you need to achieve learning growth for your students.

In this issue – family engagement!

Parent and family engagement are vital for improving student achievement. Did you know? Illinois is unique in our inclusion of parental engagement as a key feature of the Illinois Multi-Tiered System of Supports Network (IL MTSS-N)!

Keep reading for resources you can use to increase family engagement, including an interview with one of our district partners – Spencer Johnson, Family Facilitator for Irving Elementary School, District 87.

Family Engagement for School Improvement and Student Success

Meaningful family engagement is based on the premise that parents, educators and community members share responsibility for youth development. Family engagement is fostered through a deliberate process that empowers adults to jointly support student growth and address barriers to learning. It is mindful of diverse school communities and responsive to student and family needs.

Here are some of our top tips for family engagement:

1. Communicate regularly: Keep families informed with regular updates through newsletters, emails or apps. Make sure the communication is clear and accessible.

2.  Create a welcoming environment: Create a welcoming atmosphere at school events and meetings. Make sure families feel valued and respected.

3. Practice cultural sensitivity: Respect and celebrate cultural differences. Offer materials and support in multiple languages to ensure inclusivity.

4. Create flexible involvement opportunities: Provide various ways for families to get involved, such as volunteering, attending workshops or participating in decision-making processes. Try to offer opportunities that fit with many different schedules.

5. Offer support and resources: Offer resources and training for families to help them support their children’s learning at home. This could include workshops, online resources or one-on-one support. 

6. Establish feedback mechanisms: Establish ways for families to give feedback and share their ideas. This will help you understand families’ needs and improve your engagement strategies.

Visit the Family Engagement page on our website for more resources you can share directly with families, including a video introducing MTSS and an ISBE Parent Guide.

Visit our Evidence Based Practice page and look under “Family Engagement” for additional resources for schools.

District Spotlight

Spencer Johnson, Family Facilitator for Irving Elementary School, Bloomington Public Schools

Can you describe your experience working with the IL MTSS Network? How have Network coaches partnered with and supported your district?
My experience with the IL MTSS Network has been great! I feel that one of the main reasons I have been able to benefit from the IL MTSS Network is because of the structured and data driven approach they provide when supporting students. Through our collaboration with the IL MTSS-N, we have refined our tiered intervention strategies to better identify and address attendance barriers.

Are there any highlights or advice from your MTSS journey that you'd like to share with other districts?
One of the key takeaways from my MTSS journey is the importance of relationship building. Attendance interventions are most effective when students and families trust that the school is invested in their success. My advice to other districts is to view attendance as more than just a data point, but more so an opportunity to build meaningful connections that empower students and families.

Can you share a little about why your district chose to focus on strengthening family engagement? Why is family engagement important to successful school improvement and MTSS implementation?
Family engagement is at the core of our mission because we recognize that students thrive when they have a strong support system both at school and at home. By strengthening relationships with families, we create a shared sense of responsibility for student success. Engaged families are more likely to collaborate with school staff, reinforce the importance of attendance and access available resources.

What are your top tips for increasing family engagement at the district and building level?

• Clear and Consistent Communication: Ensure that families receive timely and accessible information about attendance policies, available resources and ways to get involved.

• Building Trust: Foster relationships with families through positive interactions, rather than only reaching out during challenges.

• Engagement Opportunities: Host school events, workshops and activities that encourage family participation and create a welcoming school environment.

Breaking Down Barriers to Family-School Partnerships

Our colleagues at the Regional Educational Laboratory Mid-Atlantic have released some fabulous resources for improving family-school partnerships, including this blog post. Here are a few things we’ve learned from them, and a few resources you can use.

A few key barriers can make family engagement challenging. On the family side, those can include:

  · Scheduling and juggling priorities.

  · Language differences.

  · Lack of access to technology.

  · A feeling that families don’t belong or lack confidence in the school environment.

Some hurdles teachers face include:

  · Managing multiple tasks with limited time.

  · Needing more administrative support.

  · Feeling discouraged when family involvement is low.

Tackling these barriers comes down to three main things:

  · Building relationships.

  · Communicating well.

  · Offering hands-on help.

The big take away is that school leaders should provide time, resources, and professional development for family engagement and family support. Stronger relationships with families are the foundation for all the other work we do to support student success.

Engaging Families: Fact Sheet and Family Handout

Although aimed at kindergarten and pre-k, the tips offered in these resources are helpful models for building family engagement at any grade level. Take a look!

• Family engagement fact sheet for educators: This illustrated document is chock-full of resources, practical tips and further research to help educators incorporate family engagement into their planning.

• Tip sheet for parents: This illustrated handout gives parents practical tips for reading to their child, helping children learn numbers and even communicating with their child’s teacher.

News and Events

We had an amazing time at our recent Engaged Learning Conference, cohosted with NIU STEAM. It was a joy to see many of you there and to learn together about techniques for increasing student engagement. The smaller size of the conference meant we had plenty of time to get to know one another, interact and have meaningful conversations.

Coming Soon

• We’re presenting at the 2025 Illinois Reading Council Conference, March 13-14, in Springfield. Please reach out if you’ll be there – we’d love to see you!
  

• Our summer Engaged Learning Conference is coming up in Naperville on June 20. Register soon for early bird pricing.
  

• MTSS Bootcamp will be coming back in June, as well! Watch for more information soon.

From Our Participants

"I feel like a flashlight was shined on the need for more Tier 1 data collection and monitoring."

 - Participant in Practical Support for Interventionists Learning Network

"The expertise of the staff from the IL MTSS network is very helpful when considering our district needs."

- Participant in Winter 2025 NIU Engaged Learning Conference

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