With uncertainty surrounding how the new administration will approach education funding and policy, one thing is certain: we can’t afford to overlook what works. We’re investing millions in conventional education interventions — but missing the most powerful lever for student success: families.
If we truly want to close learning gaps, we have to rethink the role of family engagement.
A recent Study.com report highlights what’s really driving student success — and the barriers standing in the way. The findings are clear:
- 87% of teachers say that stronger family support would have the biggest impact on student achievement — more than any curriculum or intervention.
- Too many students face persistent inequities that keep them from meeting reading and math benchmarks.
- Teachers are spending up to 3 hours per week managing behavioral issues, reducing valuable instructional time.
- Emergent mental health struggles and social-emotional challenges make learning even harder for students.
Yet, despite overwhelming evidence, family engagement is still missing from too many education strategies. Schools invest heavily in tutoring and curriculum shifts, but without active family involvement, these interventions often fall short. Schools focus on what happens inside the classroom while overlooking the role of learning at home. But this report and decades of research shows that what happens outside the classroom is just as critical. If we don’t equip families to support learning, we’re leaving untapped potential on the table.
How This Research Confirms Our 2025 Vision
This new research confirms what we’ve long known here at HOME WORKS! — strong family-school partnerships drive student success, and schools need structured support to make them a reality.
When our partner schools have the help they need to shift from reactive to proactive, everything changes:
- Parents go from wanting to help to actively supporting learning at home. HOME WORKS! families spend 35 more minutes a day on educational activities with their children.
- Student achievement improves. HOME WORKS! students meet their academic growth goals at rates 60% higher than their peers.
- Behavior improves. Strengthening family-teacher partnerships leads to better classroom engagement and a stronger sense of student belonging.
- Teachers gain critical support. When parents are engaged, teachers can focus more on instruction rather than classroom management.
That’s why in 2025, we’re doubling down on what works — laying the ground work to expand our reach, deepen partnerships, and ensure that more schools have the tools, training, and strategic support to make family engagement a fundamental driver of student success. Learn more about our plans in our 2025 Goals Blog.
Where Do We Go From Here?
With so much uncertainty about the future of education funding and policy, one thing remains clear: investing in what works has never been more important. In times of transition, schools, families, and communities need reliable, proven solutions to support student success.
If you’re a school leader, policymaker, or funder who believes in innovative, evidence-based solutions, let’s talk! We’re building a family engagement movement, and we want you to be part of it.
-
- Ed Dickinson, Interim CEO and Board Chair: [email protected]
- Katrina Brown, Director of Program Operations: [email protected]
- Kathryn Brayton, Director of Development: [email protected]
- Learn how HOME WORKS! is transforming schools. Read our latest Impact Report to explore the data and outcomes firsthand.
- Dig deeper into the research. Read the full Study.com report to see why prioritizing family engagement leads to better student outcomes nationwide.