Engaging Parents in Student Learning: Using Student Data to Build Strong School–Family Partnerships

Engaging families in meaningful conversations about student learning remains a persistent challenge for school and district leaders. While report cards and parent-teacher conferences are important tools for family engagement, they are no longer sufficient on their own.

An expanding suite of digital tools that make it possible for schools to share student data with families more frequently and more transparently. Parent portals, learning management systems, adaptive instructional platforms, and progress-monitoring tools now provide families with near real-time access to information about grades, attendance, assignments, and assessment results.

But access alone is not enough.

Simply sharing student data does not ensure that families understand (1) what the data mean or (2) how to use that information to support learning at home. Without clear guidance, data can confuse, overwhelm, or even disengage families rather than empower them.

This post outlines research-based best practices for districts and schools to engage families through student data, focusing on clarity, equity, and partnership. When used well, student data becomes a shared tool that strengthens school–family relationships and supports improved student outcomes.

Why Family Engagement Through Student Data Matters

Research consistently shows that family engagement has a positive impact on student achievement, attendance and student motivation. The challenge for schools is not whether to share data, but how to share it in ways that support productive partnerships.

Making Student Data Understandable and Actionable for Families

Student data should support understanding, not create confusion. The Harvard Family Research Project emphasizes that effective data sharing depends on intentional communication, not volume. Small but thoughtful steps can significantly improve families’ ability to access, interpret, and act on information about their child’s progress. Effective communication focuses on helping families see patterns, growth, and next steps rather than isolated numbers.

Best Practices for Districts to Engage Families Using Student Data

The following research-aligned practices can help district administrators ensure that student data strengthens family partnerships to support student learning.

1. Provide Parent Orientation for Student Data Systems

Families should never be expected to “figure it out” on their own.

Schools can support engagement by offering orientations that explain:

• How to access parent portals and online platforms

• What different data points represent (e.g., benchmark scores, growth measures, proficiency levels)

• How often data are updated and how they are used instructionally

Short videos, step-by-step guides, and live or recorded walkthroughs can reduce barriers and build confidence.

2. Build Educator Capacity for Communicating Student Data 

Effective family engagement begins with educators.

Professional learning should support teachers and administrators in:

• Explaining student data in plain language

• Framing data as information for growth rather than judgment

• Understanding student privacy requirements and appropriate data sharing

• Using digital tools consistently across classrooms and schools

When staff share a common approach to data communication, families receive clearer, more coherent messages.

3. Ensure Equitable Access to Student Data for All Families

Equitable data access must be intentional.

Districts can promote access by:

• Providing data reports in families’ home languages

• Offering multiple formats (digital and print)

• Designating school-based computers or kiosks for parent use

• Ensuring mobile-friendly access for families without consistent internet service

Equity also means recognizing that families bring diverse levels of familiarity with academic data—and adjusting communication accordingly.

4. Use Data to Show Student Growth Over Time 

Single scores rarely tell the whole story.

Schools can help families better understand how their child is learning by:

• Highlighting the student’s growth over time

• Explaining how homework grades connect to assessments scores

• Clarifying how data inform instructional decisions and supports

This approach shifts conversations from “How did my child score?” to “How is my child progressing, and what comes next?”

5. Create Two-Way Communication Between Schools and Families

Engaging families is not a one-directional process.

Effective data use invites:

• Questions from families

• Opportunities for discussion and clarification

• Feedback on what information is most helpful

Regular, structured opportunities for dialogue via virtual meetings, follow-up conferences, or feedback surveys can help families feel like partners in the learning process.

The Bottom Line

Student data has the power to strengthen school–family partnerships—but only when it is shared with intention.

When schools prioritize clarity, accessibility, and collaboration, data becomes more than a reporting tool. It becomes a shared language that supports student growth, builds trust, and empowers families to engage meaningfully in their child’s education.

For district and school leaders, the goal is not simply to provide more data—but to ensure that data truly supports learning.