Thank You Letter to Georgia’s Families 
By Richard Woods
State School Superintendent

It’s Family Engagement Month in the state of Georgia! A time where we, as a state, collectively recognize and honor the impactful contributions parents and families provide at school and home to support student success. The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) is committed to educating the whole child. In this effort, we strive to provide high-quality programs that improve teaching and learning across the state and equip schools with the information and resources necessary to help parents actively engage in their child's academic achievement. 

Family engagement is a shared responsibility in which schools and other community organizations are committed to communicating with, reaching out to, and building ties to engage families in meaningful ways. Research on family engagement suggests that when schools, families, and communities support each other, students of all backgrounds and ability levels achieve at the highest levels; resulting in prepared students for their next step after high school—college, the military, or beginning a career.

Join the celebration throughout November as schools and districts across the state plan special events and recognitions to honor the crucial role that parents play in students’ education. Additionally, November 15 is National Parent Involvement Day, a time reserved, as a nation, for all parents to reflect on ways they can get more involved in the education of their children.

For ideas on how you can get engaged, please visit the Information for Parents page on the GaDOE’s website. Here you access an array of resources consisting of How to Read Your Child’s Student Growth Model videos, assessment guides, school transitional information, and printable brochures.

On behalf of our schools and school systems, I want to personally thank all the parents and families who have taken on the significant role of engaging in their children’s education. Partners are our partners, and the importance of your support is immeasurable; together we will achieve greatness!