Motion: Family Engagement in Children’s Learning

Family Engagement in Children’s Learning

Lodged by Stewart Maxwell Standard Motion 40 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament recognises what it considers the critical role of parents and carers in supporting children’s learning; understands that evidence shows that family engagement in children’s education can have the biggest influence on their outcomes and attainment and can help to reduce the significant inequalities faced by children living in poverty; considers that, while the important role of parents is well known in Scotland, far less is understood about what works best to engage families, particularly those who are most marginalised and disadvantaged; welcomes Save the Children’s upcoming research, which will share learning from its delivery of the Families and Schools Together (FAST) programme in Scotland, based on independent analysis by the University of Glasgow, and help to identify methods that can be most effective; understands that FAST is an evidence-based, UN-endorsed family engagement programme that is proven to strengthen family bonds, build relationships between parents and schools and improve children’s outcomes; believes that programmes such as FAST and other efforts in schools and communities to support family engagement can help to tackle the attainment gap in Scotland, if they are informed by robust research and evaluation, and encourages all partners and stakeholders to work together to ensure that all children can benefit from successful approaches.

Supporters (40)