Challenging Assumptions Reflection Tool

Examining our beliefs about families is a critical component of REAL Family Engagement. When educators operate with asset-based beliefs about families, they are more likely to build successful academic partnerships with families. Conversely, when educators operate with deficit-based beliefs about families, they are more likely to limit communication and information sharing, thus limiting a families’ ability to play the Five Essential Roles. Use this tool to spark a conversation about how our assumptions can influence our actions and to examine ways in which we can question ourselves or others when biased or negative beliefs about families emerge.