Overview
The Family Conversation is a relationship-building activity that occurs between kindergarten educators and families of entering kindergarteners at the beginning of each academic year. This activity is designed to help educators learn about their students which, in turn, allows them to create more inclusive, personalized classroom environments. It also provides an opportunity to initiate trust, familiarity, and positive relationships between families and schools, leading to ongoing collaboration throughout the school year.
The Family Conversation emerged from
OAR 581-022-2130, which required the implementation of a “community-informed information gathering process at the kindergarten level”. It is currently in the pilot phase, meaning it is not yet implemented statewide. All public K-12 schools in Oregon are encouraged to participate in the pilot.
Complementing this resource, we developed
Building Belonging, Strengthening Learning, and Knowledge with K–2 Interims to demonstrate how educators can use information from the Family Conversation alongside K–2 interim test data to build belonging, strengthen family partnerships, and deepen their understanding of each child’s strengths, experiences, and learning needs. Together, these resources highlight how educators can honor family knowledge, interpret assessment information through a culturally responsive lens, and partner with families to ensure children, particularly those who have experienced historical or systemic barriers, transition into school feeling connected, supported, valued, and positioned for success.
Please email
Sody Fearn, K-2 Balanced Assessment Specialist to learn more about the Family Conversation.