As some schools welcome students back and others prepare for the first day, we’re thinking about what it takes to help families and educators feel ready for a strong start to the school year.
In this month’s Learning Series, we’re sharing research that highlights both the challenges families and educators face when it comes to consistent learning support - and the opportunities to build stronger, more meaningful home-school connections. You’ll learn how behavioral science can help parents follow through on their intentions to support learning at home, and why ESL teachers are calling for more professional development to strengthen family engagement.
We’re also excited to share a closer look at FASTalk AI and how it’s evolving to meet families where they are. With routines like mealtime, car rides, and grocery shopping as the starting point, FASTalk AI turns everyday moments into simple, fun learning opportunities in math and reading without asking families to change their day.
We hope this month’s highlights inspire new ideas, deepen understanding, and spark fresh ways to partner with families for the year ahead.
In partnership,
Vidya Sundaram and Elisabeth O'Bryon
Family Engagement Lab Co-Founders
Spotlight on FASTalk AI
Building on the foundation of FASTalk, FASTalk AI keeps what works, and adds even more personalization and flexibility for families.
FASTalk AI doesn’t add to families’ to-do lists - it works with the rhythm of their day. It starts by asking parents about the routines they already do together and based on what families choose, FASTalk AI sends bite-sized activities that build math and reading skills right in those everyday moments.
It’s learning that feels natural, doable, and connected to real life.
Once families select their routines, FASTalk AI sends quick, engaging activities that align with their child’s grade-level skills and their daily life. Here’s what that looks like:
While making dinner: “We have 8 tortillas and 4 people, how many does each person get if we share them equally?”
Doing laundry: “Let’s fold this towel into 3 equal parts. What do we call each part?”
At bedtime: “Let’s think of three words that rhyme with ‘light’ - like kite, bite, and night.”
In the car: “Can you spot words with ‘ing’ at the end (like crossing or parking)? How many can we find?”
What we're sharing
Opportunity to pilot FASTalk AI in your community this fall
Support a strong start to the school year with FASTalk AI
This fall, schools and districts can pilot FASTalk AI to give families a head start on building the routines, confidence, and connection that drive student success.
Each week, families receive activities that are:
Aligned with grade-level standards and classroom instruction
Tailored to children’s interests and family routines
Delivered in families’ home languages for easy access and understanding
Designed to build momentum with short, engaging practice and timely nudges
Want to bring FASTalk AI to your school community this fall?
A recent piece by University of Chicago researchers Ariel Kalil and Susan E. Mayer highlights that many parents strongly intend to support their children’s learning, but intentions often get lost in the busyness of daily life. Behavioral science research shows that small nudges like text-message reminders and weekly goal-setting significantly increase follow-through on parent-led learning activities.
FASTalk AI leverages these behavioral insights directly, delivering friendly regular prompts, activity reminders, and simple goal-setting features, turning parental intention into action. By sending just-in-time nudges, FASTalk ensures that learning stays small, doable, and consistent - even on the busiest days.
A recent EdWeek survey found that ESL teachers are three times more likely than other educators to request professional development on family engagement. The need is especially urgent in schools serving multilingual and low-income communities, where teachers often feel underprepared to partner with families in culturally responsive ways.
FASTalk AI helps fill this gap by making it easy for schools to engage families in students’ home languages, with personalized, curriculum- and standards-aligned learning activities. By combining behavioral nudges, culturally relevant messaging, and multilingual support, FASTalk AI helps teachers and families collaborate to support student success.
Thank you for joining us this month.
We’re excited to keep learning, building, and sharing alongside you!
Family Engagement Lab, 548 Market Street, #42210, San Francisco, CA 94104
