Beginning the School Year With a Consistent Communication Plan

When I became a teacher, my communication skills needed a lot of refinement. I hadn’t previously learned how to communicate well, and I struggled to find my stride. Two decades later, I’ve learned that less is best, to consider the receivers of the information I’m conveying, and to always have a plan for how to communicate effectively. Chance and hope are neither viable nor effective communication strategies.

Historian James Bryce once said, “Communication is the key to education, understanding, and peace.” Educators know that preparation is the key to successful communication. Establishing communication plans catering to teachers and families eases the start of the school year, setting the tone for a positive experience. Try not to view communication as just another thing you have to do. Instead, make it an indispensable component of your teaching and an area of constant refinement.

Some benefits of good and consistent communication between teachers and student families, as found in relevant literature, include the following:

1. Increased student engagement. One study found that frequent teacher-family communication positively impacts student engagement as measured by higher homework completion rates, improved time on task, and increased participation during lessons.
2. Improved academic performance. Evidence shows that parental involvement can significantly boost students’ grades and performance scores.
3. Personalized student support. Fostering partnerships between teachers and families provides all stakeholders with a better understanding of kids’ individual needs, enabling personalized strategies and interventions for their overall success.

Keeping the intended benefits in mind, here are some actionable steps and critical items to help you create a well-structured communication plan to keep you better connected with your students and their families.

5 Keys to Developing a Good Communication Plan

1. Establish specific communication channels. Identify and communicate the primary channels you will use for various types of communication, such as email for formal updates and messaging apps for quick inquiries and announcements. Never use messaging apps that your school or district hasn’t approved. See this list of top-rated teacher-parent communication apps. Ensure that all kids and parents are familiar with the channels you’ve selected and know how to use them effectively. This can be modeled on a back-to-school-night event.

2. Set expectations for communication frequency and methods. To provide steady and regular updates, decide how often you will contact parents and students through written announcements, newsletters, progress reports, etc. Provide timelines for updates to parents and students at the beginning of the school year so they know what to expect. Avoid overburdening them with too many or unnecessary messages.

Also, avoid being text-heavy, and use language understood by kids and parents. Do not assume they’re familiar with the communication methods you use. Train yourself and your students’ families on how to use them effectively.

3. Create a plan for parent-teacher conferences. Inform parents and students of school calendar dates for parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress and address any concerns. Assist busy parents by offering makeup dates. Provide multiple ways for parents to contact you, ensuring accessibility and responsiveness. Always maintain a considerate tone when you’re contacted, and never make parents and caregivers feel as if they are inconveniencing you when they reach out to you.

4. Have a strategy for student feedback. Effective feedback is one of the top influences for boosting student achievement. Plan how you will provide regular and timely feedback to students on their work and progress. Be consistent, predictable, and repetitive in your methods. Doing so helps build their trust and understanding and nurtures improvement.

For example, set up formative assessment checks during unit plans and class projects. You can easily do this through formal feedback, such as grades and written comments, and informal feedback, such as verbal affirmations and suggestions for improvement. Single-point rubrics work for both formal and informal feedback and are versatile tools that I highly recommend for this purpose. They are easy to create, align with daily learning goals, and leave space for documenting timely feedback.

5. Regularly review and adjust the communication plan. Nothing is ever perfect, so periodically assess the effectiveness of your communication strategies. Solicit feedback from parents and students to identify areas for improvement. Simple surveys created in Google Forms work great for this purpose. When requesting feedback, be flexible and willing to make adjustments as needed to ensure clear and effective communication throughout the school year. Don’t get stuck on anything you’ve chosen. Let your class community decide.

Communicating clearly, consistently, and thoughtfully can help us as educators develop better relationships with our students and their families, leading to a class environment conducive to learning. Remember, successful communication is not just conveying information—it’s doing so with intention, clarity, and ongoing reflection.