In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller explore the common "disconnect" between traditional school efforts and what actually drives student achievement. Dr. Miller shares insights from a deep dive into family engagement research, revealing that many widely accepted practices are more about compliance than connection. By shifting the focus from school-based events to "academic socialization," educators can unlock more powerful outcomes for their students.

Listeners will learn how to identify and remove subtle barriers, such as scheduling conflicts and language gaps—that prevent families from engaging. The conversation highlights the transformative power of two-way communication and proactive, positive reach-outs. By moving away from visible but less effective gestures and toward building trust, educators can foster a partnership with families that significantly accelerates learning.

Download the Handout, What Strengthens Family Engagement?:

https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/fy26_csh_rc-handout_?x=hPII-q

Hosts:

Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education)

Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education)

Timestamps:

(00:00 - 00:42) Podcast intro

(00:42 - 01:57) Research disconnects

(01:57 - 04:28) Perceptions of engagement

(04:28 - 06:27) Identifying engagement barriers

(06:27 - 08:17) Changing educator paradigms

(08:17 - 10:38) Redefining family involvement

(10:38 - 12:21) Three engagement categories

(12:21 - 14:07) Academic socialization impact

(14:07 - 15:58) Building parent capacity

(15:58 - 17:44) Power of two-way communication

(17:44 - 21:36) Efficiency and effort tradeoffs

(21:36 - 22:17) Closing thoughts