What does this descriptor look like at different levels?
Engage with parents/carers is the third descriptor of the seventh standard of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
See more: Australian Professional Standards for Teachers Terminology Explained
Graduate
What does it look like?
At the Graduate level, teachers are expected to develop foundational skills in engaging with parents/carers to establish positive relationships and foster open communication.
As a Graduate teacher, you recognize the importance of building strong partnerships with parents and caregivers to support students’ holistic development. Your focus should be on creating a welcoming and approachable atmosphere for parents, encouraging them to actively participate in their child’s education. While you may have limited experience in parent engagement, you must demonstrate your commitment to learning effective communication strategies.
What evidence can I collect?
To provide evidence for this descriptor, you can showcase:
- Parent communication records: Document instances of communication with parents, such as emails, phone calls, or parent-teacher meetings.
- Welcoming environment: Describe how you create an inclusive and inviting atmosphere for parents during school events or meetings.
- Parent feedback: Include feedback from parents about their perception of your approachability and willingness to engage with them.
See more: Calling Your Students’ Parents – A Uniquely Powerful Teaching Strategy.
Proficient
What does it look like?
At the Proficient level, teachers are expected to consistently engage with parents/carers, involving them in their child’s learning journey and seeking their input in decision-making.
As a Proficient teacher, you actively collaborate with parents and caregivers, recognizing them as valuable partners in the education process. You establish regular channels of communication, seek feedback from parents, and involve them in discussions about their child’s progress and development.
What evidence can I collect?
To demonstrate proficiency in engaging with parents/carers, you can present evidence such as:
- Communication logs: Provide a record of ongoing communication with parents, including details of discussions and feedback received.
- Parent involvement records: Document instances where parents were engaged in school activities, workshops, or decision-making processes.
- Parent surveys or feedback forms: Include feedback from parents about their level of satisfaction with your communication and involvement in their child’s education.
Highly Accomplished
What does it look like?
At the Highly Accomplished level, teachers are expected to lead and drive a whole-school approach to parent/carer engagement, collaborating with colleagues to create a culture of strong family-school partnerships.
As a Highly Accomplished teacher, you go beyond individual engagement efforts to lead initiatives that promote a school-wide culture of involving parents and caregivers. You actively collaborate with colleagues to develop comprehensive strategies that enhance parent engagement and support student learning outcomes.
What evidence can I collect?
To showcase your highly accomplished level of parent/carer engagement, consider the following evidence:
- Parent involvement initiatives: Provide documentation of your involvement in leading school-wide initiatives to involve parents in decision-making and school activities.
- Collaborative partnerships: Showcase instances where you worked with colleagues to create a comprehensive approach to parent engagement.
- Evidence of impact: Demonstrate how your efforts have positively influenced parental involvement and contributed to improved student outcomes.
See more: Student Work as Evidence – How Teachers can Delve Deeper.
Lead
What does it look like?
At the Lead level, teachers are expected to drive systemic approaches to parent/carer engagement, collaborating with school leaders to foster a culture of strong family-school partnerships that extend beyond the classroom.
As a Lead Teacher, your focus is on systemic change and creating a cohesive approach to parent engagement that involves all stakeholders. You actively collaborate with school leaders and colleagues to develop comprehensive policies and practices that promote meaningful partnerships between families and the school community.
What evidence can I collect?
To demonstrate your leadership in parent/carer engagement, gather the following evidence:
- School-wide parent engagement policy: Provide documentation of your contributions to the development and implementation of school-wide parent engagement policies and frameworks.
- Collaborative partnerships: Showcase instances where you collaborated with school leaders and colleagues to ensure comprehensive parent engagement strategies that extend beyond the classroom.
- Impact assessment: Present evidence of how your efforts have positively influenced parent involvement, contributed to a culture of strong family-school partnerships, and improved student outcomes.
