As part of KPRC2′s ongoing Focus on Fleming series, we’re embedded in Fleming Middle School, exploring how Houston ISD’s New Education System is impacting students, teachers, and parents.
KPRC2′s Candace Burns is now taking a closer look at efforts being used to boost parental engagement -- and how it could lead to greater student success.
A full house at Fleming Middle School’s Fall Open House marked a significant change from previous years.
It’s one of many HISD campuses now operating under a new educational framework, and Principal Devin Adams has been working hard to increase family involvement, which had been lacking in the past.
“It was pretty abysmal last year,” Adams said. However, this year, Fleming is seeing its largest turnout in years, a sign that his efforts are paying off. “I am really, really proud of the turnout.”
Alica Wraltz, a parent at the school, echoed Adams: “It is the biggest turnout that they’ve ever had,” she said, crediting the changes for bringing families back into the school.
Decades of research from Harvard University show that strong family-school connections lead to better student outcomes, including improved academic performance and behavior. According to Principal Adams, the key to increasing parental engagement is persistent communication—sending flyers home and making regular call-outs to parents.
The National PTA also supports this approach, noting that schools benefit when families are more involved.
Parents like Jamil Smith have already noticed a positive difference.
“I see a massive improvement in their grades, discipline, and behavior. This new principal here at Fleming? He’s wonderful,” Smith said.
Adams’ mission is to make Fleming feel like home to the community, one that had once written the school off.
“Lots of families have written Fleming off... but once they come to the campus, they’ll see that what it was is not what it is,” he said.
The question now is how this increased family engagement and NES will shape Fleming’s future. We’ll be following to find out.