Family Engagement

This worksheet template provides postsecondary education program staff with examples of policy and practices related to communicating with families and to support students in understanding how and if information will be shared with their families.

“Parent College” is a brief 7-step module, developed to support parents to transition their students to college, orient parents to The College of the Florida Keys, and provide information for parents to understand the expectations of the Project ACCESS program.

How can educators and families better support students with disabilities to begin their college journey ready for success? This presentation by Meg Grigal and Clare Papay at the CEC 2021 conference describes how to support high school students with disabilities to cultivate foundational skills; access needed academic supports; and develop 21st century skills using technology for communication, navigation, and social connections.

This publication explains what is important about the FERPA Act, or the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. Simple language and an easy-to-read question and answer format is used. 

Other publications in this Plain Language Series are available on the topics of WIOA, federal financial aid, and the ABLE Act, and can be found here. 

This simple handout highlights some of the best resources from Think College for students and families. Featuring the college search, publications, and online resources, this handout is great to share with families new to college planning. (Updated October 2019.)

This webinar, recorded in June 2018, takes a fresh look at family engagement in postsecondary education programs from a parent perspective. Parents and program staff explore strategies for effective family engagement practices in light of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements, self-determination, and evidence on the importance of continuing parental involvement and support for young adults with ID/DD.

Think College Insight Brief #31 explains the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and describes how it affects family communication related to college students.  It shares how "parent" is defined in the Act, as well as educational record and other key terms.  It also offers advice to families and students as they negotiate this change in status from a high school students to a college student and the new role that family plays.