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FASTalk Teacher Pilot

Parent involvement in at-home learning has more than twice the effect on student test scores than parents’ education levels or socio-economic status.
-Melhuish et al., 2008
Teachers are the most powerful influencers of parent engagement.
-Deloitte, 2016

FASTalk helps teachers overcome time and language barriers to equitably engage diverse families

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FASTalk is an evidence-based tool that sparks dialogue between teachers, parents and students about daily classroom learning. Any caregiver with access to a cell phone can engage.
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Families receive weekly curriculum-aligned activities sent via text in their home language. The activities are fun and easy for busy families to do anywhere.
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​Ongoing parent-teacher communication about student learning is seamless with two-way, automatic translation in 100+ languages.
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FASTalk can accelerate student literacy gains, especially when parents do not share a language with their child's teacher.

FASTalk is the only evidence-based texting tool aligned with high-quality ELA curriculum

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  • American Reading Company ARC Core ELA​
  • ​Benchmark Adelante
  • Core Knowledge Foundation Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA)
    • ​Sample Messages (K-2)
  • EL Education ELA
    • ​Sample Messages (2nd Grade)
  • ​ELA Guidebooks (3-5)
    • Sample Messages (3rd Grade)
    • Sample Messages (4th Grade)
  • Fountas and Pinnell Literacy
  • Frog Street Pre-K
    • ​Sample Messages (PK)​​
   ...and others available upon request

FASTalk leads to increased student achievement

During the 2017-2018 academic year, FASTalk was implemented as a pilot for families of Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students across 11 Oakland Unified School District elementary schools.

In August 2018, Keith Welch of Oakland Unified School District completed a quasi-experimental evaluation of the pilot, finding "a strong likelihood that FASTalk was highly effective for students whose home language differed from their teacher's language."

To learn more, please download the Findings Brief.
There is a strong likelihood that FASTalk was highly effective for students whose home language differed from their teacher’s language.
​-Keith Welch, MPP - Oakland Unified

What do educators think of FASTalk?

I've...seen [FASTalk]...carry the curriculum further than I was able to in the classroom.
-Emily Leone, Teacher - Sabine Parish
​More from Ms. Leone, a fellow teacher, and a parent about how FASTalk enriches the student experience and empowers families ​in Sabine Parish, LA
I see a level of confidence in my parents in their ability to influence their child's academic achievement that I have never seen in the past, and I do give a lot of credit to FASTalk for that.
-Lorraine Mann, Teacher - Oakland Unified
​More from Ms. Mann and a Literacy Coach about the impact of FASTalk on students and families in Oakland, CA
There was a big shift with the engagement...the kids were excited to talk about what they learned. The teachers felt that the program was an excellent fit for them.
-Teviron Ross, Asst. Principal, - East Baton Rouge Parish
​More from Principal Ross and a Superintendent about how FASTalk overcomes barriers and redefines Family Engagement in Louisiana classrooms

How can I try FASTalk?

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Learn more!


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​Join the Family Engagement Learning Series


The Family Engagement Learning Series provides stakeholders with monthly best practices, research and tools focused on a specific topic in family engagement.

​Tracks are available for Teachers, School & School System Leaders and Family Engagement Champions. 

Upcoming topics include:
  • Meeting the needs of diverse learners
  • How to navigate today’s new math
  • Mid-year and end-of-year student and family check-ups
  • The importance of early literacy
  • Preparing for a new school year

Join Now!
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Family Engagement Lab is a national nonprofit organization that catalyzes equitable family engagement to help students achieve academic, social, and emotional success.​
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  • FASTalk
  • Impact
  • Families
  • Learning Series
  • About
    • About Us
    • Team
    • Supporters
    • Press
    • Jobs
  • Demo