News

December 3, 2024

Nominate an Organization for the Engage Every Student Recognition Program

Those who benefit from out-of-school time programs can nominate an organization for the 2024-25 Engage Every Student Recognition Program.

Learn More

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Education and partnering organizations designed the Engage Every Student Recognition Program in regard to the Engage Every Student initiative. 

The initiative’s aim is to ensure that every student who wants a spot in a high-quality out-of-school time program gets one. High-quality is defined as meeting students’ social, emotional, mental, and physical health as well as their academic needs. 

Out-of-school programs – which take place after the school day or outside of the regular school year – include everything from comprehensive afterschool or summer-learning and enrichment programs to vacation academies, work-based learning programs, youth development programs, and experiential or service-learning programs.

Criteria

For an organization to be eligible for a nomination, it must be a:

  • Nonprofit organization working in collaboration with local education agencies
  • City municipality or local government entity working in collaboration with local education agencies
  • Local education agency working with a nonprofit organization or city/municipality or local government entity

Additional criteria can be found on the Engage Every Student Recognition Program page.

Those interested in nominating an organization must do so by Jan. 31. Eligible entities can self-nominate or be nominated. 

News

June 14, 2023

How Family Engagement Supports Kindergarten Readiness & Early School Success

Family engagement is a critical driver in ensuring that all children enter kindergarten “ready to learn” and experience early school success. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kindergarten readiness can impact how successful a child is in high school and beyond, leading to better grades and lower dropout rates, as well as better health and lifestyle habits. Children who enter school with key readiness skills have an 82 percent chance of mastering basic skills by age 11, compared with 45 percent for young children who are not “kindergarten ready.” Yet, many children nationwide are still unable to reach this pivotal benchmark.

Join the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) at this webinar to hear from education leaders and practitioners who will share the latest research and on-the-ground lessons for how family engagement has improved kindergarten readiness and early school success in their states, districts, and communities.

Moderated by Yolie Flores, President and CEO of Families In Schools, this panel conversation will explore:

  • Why engaging families early matters for children’s long-term success
  • How innovative technologies can be leveraged to support families
  • The role that curriculum, professional development, and supplemental resources play in family engagement

Session Details

Tuesday, June 27 | 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Virtual

Register

Learn More

This webinar is the fifth in a series of conversations designed to boost family engagement practices between school and home. The six-month series, produced by the U.S. Department of Education in partnership with Carnegie Corporation of New York and Overdeck Family Foundation, will explore bright spots in the field and provide education leaders and practitioners with resources and evidence-based strategies to support student success.

Featured panelists include:

  • David Cintron, Superintendent, District 14, NYC Department of Education, New York, NY
  • Rebecca Crouse Kelley, J.D., Executive Vice President of Advocacy, Waterford.org
  • Shawn Foster, Ed.D., Superintendent, Orangeburg County School District, Orangeburg, SC
  • Kai-ama Hamer, Director, ParentCorps
  • Priscilla Hopkins, Executive Director, Denver Public Schools, Denver, CO
  • Deborah Leong, Ph.D., Co-founder and President, Tools of the Mind

To learn more, visit the event page on Eventbrite.