DEVELOPING PARENT INVOLVEMENT POLICIES Title I No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Section 1118

NCLB Definition of Parent Involvement NCLB defines parental involvement as the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring— ·that parents play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning; that parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school; that parents are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child; and that other activities are carried out, such as those described in section 1118 of NCLB (Parental Involvement).

Our Parent Survey # of parents who responded Summary of Results Identify areas of weakness or concern Ideas to address the areas of concern The best school policies are developed based on data. The data is provided by the parent surveys sent out to get input from parents on the current practices in place in your schools. Provide a summary of the survey results to the parents at the meeting and discuss the areas of weaknesses the survey shows. Even if the surveys are overwhelmingly positive, the parents at the meeting may be able to provide a reality check on areas that can still be improved upon. Use those areas to help drive the updates/developing of the policy.

Review Current Policy Is it understandable? Review each section and update as necessary.

School Policies Must Include… An assurance that an annual meeting will be held to inform parents of the school's participation in the Title I program and to explain the requirements of the program and their right to be involved. Guiding Questions: Are parents aware of the Title I meeting? Is the meeting held at a time/place convenient to parents? (See survey results.) What can we do/change to make it easier for parents to attend or to bring it to the attention of parents? Tips: Include the timeline of the annual meeting in the policy as well as a summary of what will be discussed.

School Policies Must Include… An assurance that parent activities will be held at a variety of times throughout the day to meet the needs of Title I parents. Discussion: What do the survey results say are the best times for parents to attend meetings? Is there a more effective way to hold workshops that would make it possible for more parents to attend?

School Policies Must Include… A statement that the school will provide, if requested by parents, opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and respond to any such suggestions as soon as practicably possible. Tip: Define “practicably possible” – come to consensus on an acceptable timeframe to respond to suggestions from parents.

School Policies Must Include… How the school will provide assistance to parents in understanding the State's academic content standards and student achievement standards, local academic assessments and how to monitor a child's progress and work with teachers to improve the achievement of their children. Tip: Use this section to describe HOW the schools will do these things. Maybe a fact sheet on understanding the State academic standards and local assessments would be helpful ; maybe workshops or training sessions would be best to teach parents how to monitor a child’s progress; maybe meetings with teachers or teachers providing training to parents would help with improving the achievement of children.

School Policies Must Include… A description of how the school will provide materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children's achievement, such as literacy training and using technology, as appropriate, to foster parent involvement. Discussion Questions: What is the best way to provide these items to parents? Workshops, training sessions, conferences? What areas do parents need the most training in? Should the workshops be held multiple times?

Optional Items Ways for parents to be involved in developing school policies (school improvement teams, schoolwide teams). A summary of the district parent involvement policy. Incentives for parents to be involved.

DISTRIBUTING THE POLICY Moves the Policy from a Planning Document to an Action Document Get the Word Out! School Newsletter Weekly Lunch Menus Web Sites Email Listserv School’s Voice Mail System Mailing Local Newspaper Community Events Special School Events Congratulations! You have a policy! Now let all your hard work pay off for you…discuss ways to get the word out about the policy and to share it with parents.

EVALUATING THE RESULTS Schools are required to review the policies each year to determine if they are effective and to make changes, if needed Parents must be involved Need to know more than whether it is in place Need to know what’s working and what’s not Plan a time later in the year to evaluate whether the ideas and strategies you’ve implemented for your policy are effective and to make changes if necessary.

AN AGREEMENT FOR SUCCESS: Title I Parent/School Compacts

Compacts: Definition TITLE I – SECTION 1118 SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HIGH STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. —As a component of the school-level parental involvement policy developed … each school served under this part shall jointly develop with parents for all children served under this part a school-parent compact that outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve the State’s high standards. What are compacts? This is the legal definition from NCLB – but don’t spend a lot of time on this screen. You’ll lose the parents’ interest and possibly intimidate them. 21

What needs to be included? describe the school’s responsibility to provide high quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables the children served under this part to meet the State’s student academic achievement standards, and the ways in which each parent will be responsible for supporting their children’s learning, such as monitoring attendance, homework completion, and television watching; volunteering in their child’s classroom; and participating, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children and positive use of extracurricular time.

In Simpler Terms… Compacts are a “job description” that defines the “jobs” of the school, the parents (and sometimes the student) in order to ensure that the student receives and achieves the best possible education.

Purpose of Compacts Process vs. Outcome Open Communication Parents can understand the school system better Teachers can understand the needs of parents better Students can understand their responsibilities Creating a “team” to support every student. Notes: Although compacts are a requirement under NCLB and every school must have one to be in “compliance” it is the process of developing compacts that is so powerful. The parents and teachers attending this meeting today have a unique opportunity to discuss what makes a school be effective for all kids. And to create and develop opportunities to work together to making sure we have the best school possible. We are creating a “team” to support every student in the school. 24

CREATING A COMPACT TEAM Who Should Be Included? Parents (required) Teachers (required) Optional: Students Administrators Community Members Libraries Businesses Faith Based Organizations Community Organizations

GETTING STARTED NCLB Goal Issues currently facing our school Understanding the Challenges Facing Education Today NCLB Goal All Students at Proficient or Advanced on the PA System of School Assessment (PSSA) by 2014 Issues currently facing our school Issues currently facing our parents Issues currently facing our community Begin discussing the issues that face your school – each school will be unique. Make notes on the flip chart or other recording device as parents and teachers list them. Use those notes to begin developing the ideas that will be reflected in your compact. 26

Goals for Educating our Children Discussion Questions: Parents: What do you want for your child as they go through school? Parents: What goals do you have for your child after they graduate? Teachers: What do you want for your students as they go through your classroom this year? Teachers: What do you want for their future? Although in theory we know that parents and teachers want the same thing for their kids and students, it can be very powerful for parents to hear the teachers reiterate the same goals as they have and vice versa. This can help parents and teachers both understand that they all want the same things and can be a more powerful force working together than working separately. It might be interesting to see how many teachers are parents by asking for a show of hands. Ask them to respond as both a parent and a teacher. 27

What Do We Expect From Each Other? All parents and teachers want to ensure that every child is: Healthy Safe Engaged in Learning Supported by Caring Adults Exposed to a Challenging Curriculum (includes arts, music and other essential courses) *From The Whole Child Ask parents and teachers to respond to each topic with how they can contribute and what they expect from each other. 28

DEVELOPING OUR COMPACT Compacts are required to address three areas for families and the school to work together: Student learning and high achievement; Effective and frequent communication between school and home; and Building capacity for the family/school partnership through volunteering and training. Review the notes that were taken when you were discussing issues your school faces, as well as goals and expectations for parents and teachers. How can families and schools work together to address the areas required in a compact? 29

Student Learning & High Achievement Discussion Questions: What does our current compact include to address student learning and high achievement? Parents: What do you see happening in your child’s school and/or classroom to support this topic? What can parents do at home and school to help students achieve? Are there any other things we can add to the compact? Research says that when parents are involved – no matter what the income level or background of the family – students do better in school. Look at the overall compact first and identify the elements in their current compact that address Student Learning and High Achievement. Sometimes parents need to understand HOW and WHAT they can do in order to help their kids. This discussion between parents and teachers can help flush out where parents need additional help and understanding and for teachers to understand that they are needed to help guide parents in this process. If needed, refer back to the five elements listed in the “What Do We Expect from Each Other?” slide to help direct discussion. 30

Student Learning & High Achievement Discussion Questions: School: What can teacher/school do at school to help students achieve? What are the teacher/school responsibilities in the compact? Are there any other things we can add to the compact? Research says that when parents are involved – no matter what the income level or background of the family – students do better in school. Sometimes parents need to understand HOW and WHAT they can do in order to help their kids. This discussion between parents and teachers can help flush out where parents need additional help and understanding and for teachers to understand that they are needed to help guide parents in this process. If needed, refer back to the five elements listed in the “What Do We Expect from Each Other?” slide to help direct discussion. 31

Student Learning and High Achievement Suggestions for Compact: School’s responsibility includes offering a rigorous and challenging academic program [be specific in what your school offers here] School agrees to provide training for parents on ways to help them help their children at home. Parents agree to monitor homework completion and send students to school prepared to learn and on time. Parents agree to support learning at home by reading with their children every night [or whatever is agreed upon at this meeting…] These are just ideas…hopefully, you will have a list developed by this point that is unique to your school. 32

Effective and Frequent Communication Between Home/School Discussion Questions: What does our current compact include that relates to communication between the home and school? Parents: What do you see happening in your child’s classroom to support this? Teachers/School: What do you see happening from parents to support communication? Define “effective” communication. Define “frequent” communication. Are those definitions reflected in the current compact? Is it enough? Do the parents feel that they are “kept in the loop” of their child’s progress in school? Do teachers feel that they are getting enough parent support? Adequate communication between the home/school is the component most necessary for effective compacts. Parents want to know how their child is doing in school. Teachers want to know factors at home that may be impacting the childs performance in their classroom. It is very important for everyone present in the room to understand and agree to a definitions for “effective” and “frequent” communication. For example, “frequent” in one school may be an email or phone call from a teacher once a week; in another, it might be at annual conferences. This discussion can help the school better understand what parents need and for parents to understand any constraints that teachers are under that may impact the definition of “frequent”. 33

Effective and Frequent Communication Between Home/School Suggestions for Compact: School agrees to communicate frequently (define frequently) with families about student progress through [agreed upon methods i.e., email, phone calls, newsletters, etc.]. Parents agree to attend at least one parent-teacher conference each year, or email teacher with questions, etc. 34

Building Capacity through Volunteering and Training Discussion Questions: Identify activities that parents could volunteer for or be trained to help their children do better in school. Are there opportunities for parents to be involved at a governance level at this school? How and what? How can we get more parents involved? What are the barriers? How are we eliminating them? By this point, we hope that the teachers present have an understanding that parents want to be involved and will be involved if they know what they are expected to do and how to do it. This section of the compact process outlines activities and opportunities for parents and schools to work together to improve student learning. Look for specific opportunities for parents to volunteer in the school…for teachers to train parents on how to work with their kids at home, etc. 35

Building Capacity through Volunteering and Training Suggestions for Compact: School agrees to involve parents in school governance by….. Teachers will train parents on these strategies to help their children do better in school… Parents agree to volunteer at least ___ hours a year at the school.

USING THE COMPACT Use the Compact in All Parts of Your School Program DISCUSS STUDENT PROGRESS AT PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES (required by NCLB) Help launch programs for family involvement Support training for teachers and other staff to work with families Complement School Improvement Plans Help partners discuss their responsibilities in meeting the goals of the school

EVALUATING THE RESULTS How do you know whether or not your compact is working? Schools are required to review the compacts each year to determine if they are effective and to make changes, if needed Parents must be involved Need to know more than whether it is in place Need to know what’s working and what’s not Plan a time later in the year to evaluate whether the ideas and strategies you’ve implemented for your compact are effective and to make changes if necessary. 38

Resources SPAC Parent Involvement Toolkit US Department of Education www.SPAC.k12.pa.us US Department of Education www.ed.gov No Child Left Behind Title I Legislation (Section 1118 – Compacts) Project Appleseed (National Campaign for Public School Improvement www.projectappleseed.org PA Academic Standards PA Department of Education www.pde.state.pa.us

Questions

Congratulations! You’ve completed the update of your parent policy. For further information on ways to increase parent involvement in your school: www.spac.k12.pa.us (State Parent Advisory Council website) www.ed.gov (USDE Website)