This guide is intended for teachers with individual, free TalkingPoints accounts. If you are using TalkingPoints on a school- or district-wide level, check with your school admin to confirm the approved log-in method and to ensure your classes are assigned to you.
The TalkingPoints mission is to drive student success by using accessible technology to unlock the potential of family engagement in children’s education. Let’s get started!
Sign Up
Creating a TalkingPoints account involves a few easy steps. You may begin signing up either on our website or the mobile app for teachers using one of several log-in methods:
Email/password
Google Single Sign-On (SSO)
Microsoft SSO
Apple SSO
Email Verification
If you entered your email manually, you might have to verify your email address. TalkingPoints will email you from noreply@talkingpts.org with a unique six-digit verification code. Enter your verification code in the box provided and click 'Verify.'
Make sure to check your email's junk/spam folder if you do not see the email from TalkingPoints.
Educator Validation
Once you have verified your email, TalkingPoints will validate that you are a school teacher, school staff, or community member that serves students in US K-14 schools and organizations. Please provide the requested information and select 'Submit' when you are done.
A member of our TalkingPoints Support team will review your information and either 1) approve your account, or 2) request additional information via email if needed. Once you receive your verification approval email, you are ready toreload the TalkingPoints home page and start adding classes and students!
Add Families
TalkingPoints offers a few different ways to add families. You can add up to 200 students total, and up to 5 family contacts per student.
Add contacts manually if you have the student's name, and a family member's cell phone number.
Provide your class code to families that have the TalkingPoints Families app.
With the last two options, you can download translated handouts that explain to families how the TalkingPoints app works, and how to connect to your class in their home language via the app or SMS text!
Once your families are added with the correct home language, the contact will get your messages in the language you set up for them. The translation is automatic.
Send Your First Message
The next step is to compose an introductory message to send to your families. Introduce yourself and let families know that you will be using TalkingPoints to communicate with them. Simply click on the NEW MESSAGE button and select one of two options:
Send a class announcement to message all families in your class. You can send and schedule up to 5 per day.
Send a direct message to a specific family or contact, or multiple families. You can send and schedule up to 50 per day.
When selecting multiple families, each conversation thread is private. Families never see information about other families in the class.
To make your first introductory message easy, TalkingPoints has set up some templates you can use.
Did you know?
Families who are signed up for SMS text messages will receive a message that lets them know they can opt out of receiving your messages by texting LEAVE at any time.
Families receive text messages by default, but there is also a TalkingPoints Families App that they can download.
More information:
Engage Your Families
There are multiple ways to engage your families once you have your classes set up.
Schedule and save messages as templates that you often send, like homework reminders.
Add photos, emojis, and other attachments.
Send full class announcements, or reach out individually to families via direct message.
The more you engage your families, the more support they can give your students. Families appreciate hearing from you!