Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Parent and Family Engagement
Parent and family engagement is an integral part of Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). When parents and families are involved in their children's education, students do better in school and feel more supported at home and in the classroom. ESSA requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to keep parents and families actively engaged in their child's learning through regular, meaningful, two-way communication. School districts are expected to share Title I, Part A program information with families and genuinely consider their ideas, questions, and concerns. As part of Title I, Part A Section 1116, families are invited to help shape school programs, provide input on how resources are used, and take part in decisions that directly affect their children’s education. This page serves as a starting point for parents and families to learn about their rights, find important resources, and learn how to stay connected with their child's school.
The parent and family engagement (PFE) requirements for schools and districts serving students through Title I are:
- District-Wide Parent and Family Engagement Policy
- School-Level Parent and Family Engagement Policy
- Title I District-School Parent and Family Engagement Policy (for one-school districts/charter schools)
- School-Parent Compact
- Annual Meeting for Title I parents
- Parent Notification for Student Placement in a Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP)
Parents and Families of Multilingual Learners
If your child has been identified as a Multilingual Learner (ML), your local educational agency (LEA) is required to notify you directly. Parental and family engagement is a key component to all students’ academic success. Culture and language should be a bridge, not a barrier, for parents to connect with their children’s teachers, get to know the administrators, and advocate at the LEA level. In addition, an LEA must keep all parents informed of school and LEA-level information in a language the parent understands best.
