One shoe does not fit all when it comes to communicating important messages to school districts and families. In fact, better communication with families fosters relationships centered in trust, ultimately improving the student’s success. In the effort to bolster communication efforts for your community, evaluating the current systems in place and considering new ones is critical. From the school district website, to the communication tools used to relay information from the school to families and students, there are many factors to consider in making the communication easily accessible to all.
When it comes to consider when evaluating communication platforms, the below four categories are essential:
Translation:
- Effective translation that works across platforms is key. Google translate for example, doesn’t cut it when communicating directly translatable information to families that may not use English as their first language.
- Alternative text translation for audiences of diverse abilities is critical to remain accessible.
Platform:
- Availability across multiple device types and platforms is important as some families may not have access to a computer. Information must be accessible on mobile devices of all kinds.
Familiarity:
- Technological ease of use for adults who may not be comfortable with — or may not have access to — the latest technology.
- Ease of onboarding-the simpler the better!
Targeting:
- Applicable for all K-12 grade levels to make communicating and receiving information simpler for families that may have multiple children across grade levels.
- Targeted communication: the ability to send and receive messages with a variety of audience types (i.e., an entire class, an individual caregiver, etc.)
Now that you have factored in the above essential elements to strong school district communication, have a conversation with your team on how your existing communication platforms measure up.
Need to take it to the next level? Shoot us a message or give us a call so we can drive solutions to elevate your school district.
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