UC Irvine School of Education partnering on an effort to create the first statewide family engagement center
Dean Frances Contreras serves as principal investigator for $5 million dollar initiative with California Department of Education and Parent Institute for Quality Education
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Irvine, Calif., Nov. 14, 2023 — The University of California, Irvine School of Education is collaborating with the family-focused nonprofit organization Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) and the California Department of Education (CDE) on a groundbreaking $5 million initiative to create California's first-ever statewide family engagement center. As part of the award, Frances Contreras, UC Irvine School of Education dean and professor, serves as the principal investigator to conduct an external evaluation of the center's work. The five-year grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
“Family engagement in schools is foundational to closing equity gaps. The center will allow access to learning opportunities that will engage students and families from low-income and underrepresented communities. This historic collaboration brings together the UC Irvine School of Education as a world-class research university partner to this inaugural statewide effort of supporting families across California,” Dean Contreras said. In her capacity for the joint effort, Dean Contreras will help the state adopt effective strategies to engage families in the educational process of their children. In working alongside families, this statewide center seeks to be a resource for families, equipping parents with relevant and timely information and tools to advocate and support their students. |
Dean Frances Contreras
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“We know from decades of research the critical role parents and families have in helping their children to navigate formal and informal schooling processes. A statewide family engagement center acknowledges and elevates parents and family members as true partners in the education process, and positions the State of California to lead in this effort,” said Dean Contreras, who will also lend her expertise as a scholar and researcher focused on addressing issues of equity and access for underrepresented students in the education pipeline.
The center will support California’s commitment to empowering both educators and families, strengthening family-school collaboration to enhance student success. The center will provide technical support to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and county offices of education, as well as build partnerships with other statewide family engagement centers and community-based organizations. A diverse statewide advisory committee – comprised of families, educators, administrators and essential stakeholders – will shape and guide the center's initiatives.
The multi-organization collaboration also includes the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) to strengthen capacity for schools and LEAS to implement engagement strategies.
The center will support California’s commitment to empowering both educators and families, strengthening family-school collaboration to enhance student success. The center will provide technical support to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and county offices of education, as well as build partnerships with other statewide family engagement centers and community-based organizations. A diverse statewide advisory committee – comprised of families, educators, administrators and essential stakeholders – will shape and guide the center's initiatives.
The multi-organization collaboration also includes the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) to strengthen capacity for schools and LEAS to implement engagement strategies.
