Neshaminy School District Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy (2025-2026)

All Local Education Agencies (LEAs) receiving Title I funds are required under Section 1116 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to develop a written Parent and Family Engagement Policy. This policy must be jointly developed with parents and family members, incorporated into the LEA plan (Consolidated Application), and distributed to parents of participating children in a format and language they can understand.

This policy aligns with Neshaminy School District Board Policy 918 and reflects the district’s commitment to meaningful consultation with parents and family members in planning and implementing programs, activities, and procedures that support student achievement.

The Neshaminy School District (NSD) is committed to fostering meaningful partnerships with parents and family members to improve student achievement and school performance. In alignment with ESSA Section 1116, NSD will implement the following strategies:

1. Involving Parents and Family Members in the Development of the Title I Plan (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(A))

NSD will actively engage parents and family members in the joint development and revision of the Title I Plan through annual meetings, surveys, advisory groups, and opportunities for public comment. Parent feedback will help shape the Consolidated Application prior to submission. Opportunities for involvement will be communicated through school newsletters, district and school websites, direct invitations, and other outreach methods to ensure broad participation.

2. Involving Parents and Family Members in School Review and Improvement (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(A))

Parents and family members will be invited to participate in school improvement teams, district committees, and data review sessions. Families will have opportunities to review district and school performance data, contribute to improvement planning, and share insights to help identify priorities for student success. These discussions may include reviewing academic achievement data and identifying ways families can support learning at home.

3. Providing Technical Assistance and Support to Schools for Parent and Family Engagement (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(B))

NSD will provide coordination, technical assistance, and support to all Title I schools to strengthen effective parent and family engagement practices. This support includes:

• Professional development for school staff on effective engagement strategies
• District resources and tools to enhance communication and outreach
• Regular meetings to share best practices and resources
• Workshops and information sessions that help families support student learning
• Coordinating Parent and Family Engagement Strategies with Federal, State, and Local Programs (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(C))

Activities to build capacity may include family literacy and math nights, curriculum and standards information sessions, technology workshops for parents, and sessions focused on strategies families can use at home to support student learning.

4. Coordinating Parent and Family Engagement Strategies with Federal, State, and Local Programs (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(C))

NSD will coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies with other Federal, State, and local programs, including early childhood programs, and community outreach initiatives through planning, assessment of current programming and professional development through annual meetings, surveys, and parent feedback. These coordinated efforts will ensure that families receive consistent and comprehensive support across various educational and community programs, promoting a unified approach to student success.

5. Conducting an Annual Evaluation of the Parent and Family Engagement Policy (ESSA Section 1116(a)(2)(D) (i-iii))

Each year, NSD will conduct an evaluation of the Parent and Family Engagement Policy with meaningful input from parents and family members through meetings and surveys. This evaluation will assess the effectiveness of engagement strategies, identify barriers to participation (especially for economically disadvantaged families, families with limited English proficiency, families of minority backgrounds, and parents of children with disabilities), and explore the needs of families in assisting with their children’s education. The evaluation will also gather feedback on how to improve interactions between families and schools and identify strategies to reduce barriers and ensure equitable access and participation for all families. The results of the annual evaluation will be shared with parents and family members and used to guide the planning and implementation of future parent and family engagement activities.

6. Using Evaluation Findings to Improve Parent and Family Engagement (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(E))

Findings from the annual evaluation and meetings will be shared with staff, parents, and family members, and used to design and implement evidence-based strategies for more effective parent and family involvement. If necessary, the district will revise the Parent and Family Engagement Policy to address emerging needs and share the updated policy with parents and family members. These changes will ensure continuous improvement in family engagement efforts across the district.

7. Involving Parents and Family Members in School Activities (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(F))

NSD will involve parents and family members in school activities by establishing a Parent Advisory Council composed of a diverse group of parents who represent the district's community. This group will meet during the year to provide feedback on family engagement strategies, review and revise the Parent and Family Engagement Policy, and plan activities that foster stronger school-family partnerships.

NSD will also encourage parents to participate in school events, volunteer opportunities, and parent-teacher conferences to enhance family involvement in school life.

NSD believes that active parent and family engagement is key to student success. By collaborating with parents, families, and the community, we will ensure that all students have the support they need to achieve their highest potential.

Use of Funds Section

In accordance with ESSA Section 1116, NSD receives more than $500,000 in Title I funds and is required to set aside 1% of its allocation to support parent and family engagement. These funds will be used to support activities outlined in this policy and reflected in the Consolidated Application:

1. Disseminating Best Practices for Parent and Family Engagement

   The district will disseminate information on best practices for parent and family engagement with a focus on strategies to increase the involvement of economically disadvantaged parents and family members. These resources will be made available through multiple channels, including, but not limited to, newsletters, websites, and workshops, ensuring that all families can access tools and guidance to support student success (ESSA, Section 1116(3)(D)(iii)).

2. Other Activities and Strategies for Parent and Family Engagement

NSD may also engage in other activities and strategies that align with the district’s Parent and Family Engagement Policy. This could include organizing family engagement events, developing resources for parents, providing surveys, and creating family engagement committees within schools to support the specific needs of each school community (ESSA, Section 1116(3)(D)(v)).

All parent and family engagement expenditures will be monitored to ensure compliance with Title I regulations and alignment with the district’s strategic goals, ultimately contributing to the academic success of all students.

Reviewed and revised during the Stakeholders’ Meeting on June 11, 2025. This policy was reviewed and updated as needed during Annual Title I meetings during the 2025-2026 school year at each school site.