Prichard Committee’s popular certification program is now open to schools nationwide
LEXINGTON, Ky. — A new study released today by FHI 360 finds that the Family Friendly Schools Certification, earned by 100 Kentucky schools, helps educators engage families and gain their trust, supports improved reading outcomes, and builds a foundation for ongoing improvement.
Family Friendly Schools was developed and launched by the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence in 2021 to help Kentucky schools improve family partnerships and create opportunities for families to support student learning. The certification is available from preschool through high school. The program is now open to schools nationwide as part of the Prichard Committee’s new National Family Friendly Schools Certification.
“Helping schools and families deepen their commitment to support one another is key to improving education outcomes,” said Prichard Committee President/CEO Brigitte Blom. “We are excited to share what we’ve learned about what works in family engagement and scale that to other states.”
The FHI 360 study draws from surveys of more than 650 educators and families, school visits, focus groups, and analysis of statewide data. “We’ve long known that family engagement is a powerful predictor of child development and school success,” said FHI 360 Lead Evaluation Researcher Rachel Renbarger. “This study shows that Family Friendly Schools Certification helps schools advance this vision by creating a culture of continuous improvement of their family engagement practices.”
“The findings affirm what we see and hear almost daily in certified schools,” said National Director of Family Friendly Schools Brooke Gill. “Families are more connected to schools and better able to help their students get good grades. And educators have more confidence in all areas of family engagement. This is a proven recipe to support student learning.”
Among the specific findings from FHI 360’s study of Family Friendly Schools:
- 99% of teachers say they can build relationships with families from different backgrounds than their own.
- 86% of families say they can help their children get good grades.
- 89% of families agree that “There are many ways I can be involved in the school.”
- 87% of schools were recertified from 2024-2025.
- 1.7% increase in reading proficiency compared to students in non-certified schools.
“Continued dedication in implementation and refinement of the certification process will likely contribute to future improvements in student outcomes,” added Renbarger from FHI 360.
About the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence
The Prichard Committee believes in the power and promise of public education –early childhood through college– to ensure Kentuckians’ economic and social well-being. We are a citizen-led, non-partisan, solutions-focused nonprofit, established in 1983 with a singular mission of realizing a path to a larger life for Kentuckians with education at the core.
About FHI 360
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Our staff of more than 2,000 experts work in over 50 countries around the world. In the United States, we work to improve the well-being of all Americans by focusing on what can help them succeed: education, employment and health.
Contact:
Lisa McKinney
Communications Director, The Prichard Committee
(cell) 859-475-7202
lisa@prichardcommittee.org
FHI 360 media contact:
media@fhi360.org