Family Engagement Bill AB 2878 Signed Into Law by the Governor

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT BILL AB 2878 SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 2878, sponsored by California State PTA and co-authored by Assemblymember Rocky Chavez and Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, has been signed into law by Governor Brown.

Signed yesterday, this legislation will add research-based family engagement guidance and practice into the California Education Code. It will provide schools, districts and parents access to research-based best practices for family engagement and involvement.

Research demonstrates that when schools practice authentic family engagement, absenteeism is reduced, dropout rates decrease and student achievement and graduation rates go up.

“California State PTA is extremely proud to sponsor this important bill that supports meaningful and effective family engagement, “ said California State PTA President Dianna MacDonald.

“We are ecstatic that AB 2878 has been signed into law, and look forward to seeing the students of California benefit from this thoughtful approach to family engagement,” said MacDonald.

Family engagement is a cost-effective way to increase student achievement. According to research, schools would need to increase spending by more than $1,000 more per pupil to gain the same results as effective family engagement.

PTA sees this as a simple and powerful next step to ensuring we build positive long term relationships between families and schools especially with our next generation parents and families and those underserved.  Read more about AB 2878 here.