Episode 80

Why Parent Engagement Is a Product Problem

Brief description of the episode

Parents want to help their kids. Most just don’t know where to start. In this episode of Tech in EdTech, Zahra speaks with Stephanie Parra, M. Ed., CEO of ALL In Education, about making proficiency, communication, and learning tools easier for families to understand and act on. They explore plain language, two-way communication, and how AI can support multilingual households without widening gaps.

Key Takeaways:

- Use plain language and drop acronyms so parents clearly understand what proficiency means.
- Show where the child is now and where they need to get to, using concrete examples like grade-level comparisons.
- Make proficiency data actionable, so families know what they can work on, not just what the score says.
- Connect proficiency to specific, practical actions parents can take at home to support learning.
- Help families understand the urgency by clearly explaining the learning gap and why it matters.
- Build parent confidence by explaining how the system works and reinforcing that they can support their child’s growth.
- Replace one-way emails and robocalls with frequent, two-way messaging channels parents already use, like WhatsApp-style apps.
- Ensure the system is secure, mobile-friendly, and low-friction for easy access.
- Include real-time translation for multilingual households so parents and teachers can communicate effectively.
- Allow parents to send voice notes or messages in their preferred language, with auto-translation for teachers.
- Make communication consistent and accessible so families can engage without barriers.
- Ensure full language accessibility for multilingual households.
- Clearly explain how student and family data is collected and used, with informed consent.
- Use plain language so families of all education levels understand what the tool does and why it matters.
- Design for offline or low-bandwidth use to reach families with limited connectivity.
- Build tools that support learning without replacing teachers or parental judgment.
- Include adaptive features that support students with learning differences, such as dyslexia.
- Explain AI in plain language so families understand what it is and what it is not.
- Set clear expectations for appropriate AI use in learning, avoiding over-reliance.
- Reinforce that AI supports learning but does not replace teachers or parents.
- Provide structured guidance or resources that show families how AI can be used to support learning at home.
- Design AI features so they are accessible to families with different levels of tech familiarity.

Why Parent Engagement Is a Product Problem

Brief description of the episode

Key Takeaways:

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