Social media is a powerful tool that can be used to develop community connections. It can empower people, communities, and organizations to contribute to democracy, the economy, and live out their dreams. When used strategically, social media allows sharing of information, collaboration, engagement, and building of stronger relationships between schools, families, businesses, non-profits and other stakeholders. This document advocates for the inclusion of social media in strategic plans to better engage communities and strengthen the role of schools.

1. Social Media
A tool to develop
ommunity
onnections

2. An initiative to harness the
power of collective inquiry Teachers
Parents
Schools
Businesses Nonprofits

3. Our purpose:
Use social media to empower people,
communities and organizations so they
contribute to our democracy, economy and
live their own American dreams.
Empower people, communities and
organizations so they may contribute to our
democracy, economy and live their own
American dreams.

4. Become a philanthropist
using social media.
Build a better world.
Educate.
If your organization is aligned to
our purpose become a partner.
Contact: Jorge Madrid
jamadrid@yahoo.com
Tel. (602) 434-1778
@jamadrid
E D U T E C H N I A is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit educational organization.

5. Social networks are increasingly
being used to build respectful and
trusting relationships among
school staff, families, community
members and stakeholders.

6. The research
is consistent, positive,
.
and convincing . . .

7. Programs and interventions that engage
families in supporting their children’s
learning at home are linked to improved
student achievement.
Epstein, Simon & Salinas (1997), Jordan, Snow & Porche (2000), Starkey & Klein (2000)

8. The more families support their children’s learning
and educational progress, both in quantity and over
time, the more their children tend to do well in school
and continue their education.
Miedel & Reynolds (1999), Sanders & Herting (2000), Marcon (1999)

9. Families of all cultural backgrounds,
education, and income levels can, and
often do, have a positive influence on
their children’s learning.
Ho Sui-Chu & Willms (1996), Shaver & Walls (1998), Clark (1993)

10. Key Findings about Making Connections:

11. When programs and initiatives focus on building
respectful and trusting relationships among school
staff, families, and community members, they are
more effective in creating and sustaining
connections that support student achievement.

12. Programs that successfully connect
with families and community invite
involvement,

13. are welcoming, and
address specific
parental and
community needs.
Hoover-Dempsey & Sandler (1997), Sanders & Harvey (2000), Peña (2000)

14. Parent involvement programs
that are effective in engaging
diverse families recognize:
cultural and class
differences,

15. address needs

16. and build
on strengths.
Scribner, Young & Pedroza (1999), Chrispeels & Rivero (2000), López (2001)

17. Effective connections embrace a philosophy of
partnership where power is shared—

18. The responsibility for
children’s educational
development is a
collaborative
enterprise.
Wang, Oates & Weishew (1997), Smrekar et al (2001), Moore (1998)

19. Could social media enhance family
and community connections?
Absolutely!

20. Are schools harnessing the
potential of social media?
Absolutely NOT!

21. Fact:

22. Social media has to be included
in your strategic plan to engage
your community.

23. Ways social media
is improving education:

24. Providing
job-embedded
professional
development

27. Fostering supportive and collaborative
relationships with all the stakeholders and

28. Strengthening the role of
schools
as centers of communities.

29. Conclusion:
Social media is a powerful tool to develop
community connections and can be use to:
• Share information • Collaboration
• Solve problems • Engagement
• Build knowledge • Build stronger relationships

30. We would like to team up with you to
develop unique educational content for your
target market and strategically deliver it to
your audience through social media.

31. Your generous tax-deductible donation
will empower communities where your
customers and employees live.

32. If your organization is aligned to
our purpose become a partner.
Contact: Jorge Madrid
jamadrid@yahoo.com
Tel. (602) 434-778
@jamadrid
E D U T E C H N I A is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit educational organization.
References:
A New Wave of Evidence:
The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement
Anne T. Henderson & Karen L. Mapp
A New Wave of Evidence is available at as full-text PDF at
http://www.sedl.org/connections/resources/evidence.pdf