Research has shown that messaging via text can successfully change behavior and that increased parental involvement leads to children experiencing better academic, behavioral, and social outcomes, as well as schools receiving better ratings on measures of climate and culture. Parents themselves also report better attitudes about their children's education when they are more engaged.
This Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Southwest webinar, 'Using Text Message Initiatives for Parent engagement' was recorded on May 19, 2022. The webinar archive includes five videos: (1) an introduction to the webinar by Lacy Wood and an overview of research on nudge communications in Arkansas by Dr. Candace Hester; (2) a summary of the report Can Texting Parents Improve Attendance in Elementary School? A Test of an Adaptive Messaging Strategy. by Dr. Anja Kurki, and a question-and-answer session; (3) information about research with middle school families by the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center by Hadley Bachman; (4) reflections by Dunya Minoo and Kelli Mitchell about family engagement using text messages in Portland Public Schools, in Oregon; and (5) a discussion and question-and-answer session with all of the presenters.
In Video 2, Dr. Anja Kurki of the American Institutes for Research shares the findings and implications from the recent report Can Texting Parents Improve Attendance in Elementary School? A Test of an Adaptive Messaging Strategy. Lacy Wood of REL Southwest facilitates a question-and-answer session and introduces the webinar and presenters.
This video was prepared under Contract 91990018C0002 by REL Southwest and administered by the American Institutes for Research through funding from the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education. The content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Institute of Education Sciences or the U.S. Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.
Keywords: Parent Engagement; Family Engagement; Text Message; Text Messaging; Regional Educational Laboratory Southwest; REL Southwest; Nudge; Nudge Communications; Portland Public Schools; Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center
