Family/Parent Engagement

At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents. Jane D Hill InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Objectives Identify specific needs of binational parents and students based on surveys, observations or personal experiences Determine areas of support that will meet those unique needs and promote family/parent engagement Recognize importance of adapting existing parent engagement programs to meet the needs of binational migrant families List technology resources & support systems for binational migrant families InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Ways to Identify Needs of Binational Migrant Parents Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Surveys Interviews Personal experiences InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Ways to Identify Needs of Binational Migrant Parents – Cont. Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) Observation Literature Link to SOSOSY (Student tracking form) Other InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Some Identified Characteristics of Binational Parents Strong desire for their children to succeed in school Hard working Social/Cultural identity shock A lack of sense of belonging on both sides of the border. InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Other characteristics InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Supporting Binational Migrant Parents There are many areas in which migrant programs can support their binational migrant parents: Knowledge of education systems in MX and US Ability to access binational program services Enhancement of parenting skills Development of computer skills Understanding child cognitive, literacy and developmental growth Use of technology tools and resources other InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Example of Areas of Support During the Summer/Fall 2013, Pennsylvania conducted a Parent Survey to determine areas of need so that local programs can ensure its services are relevant to the families the program serves. Additionally, the results of the survey were used to determine if the services parents had received in the past year were meeting their needs. InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Creating and Administering a Parent Survey (see sample survey – PA and CO) State purpose and how it will be utilized Focus on services received within your state Use parent-friendly language Keep it simple and short with clear instructions Administer in person, if possible, with guidance InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Some Identified Characteristics of Binational Migrant Parents High mobility Limited English language proficiency Limited technology skills Unfamiliar with expectations and differences between school systems in the U.S and/or Mexican. Lack of knowledge of Common Core Standards and state exams InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Parents reported receiving the following services: Summer/after school programs Academic support (English, math, science, writing, etc.) Transportation services Assistance with free/reduced lunch and parent/teacher conference Interpreting services Assisting with understanding school system such as letter sent home, homework, school enrollment, etc. In-home tutoring Referrals to community organizations Saturday programs Parent workshops/trainings and related activities PAC meetings (state /local) Advocacy services Computer classes Summer leadership institute College visits and financial aid (FAFSA) application InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Parents indicated they wanted to know more about: Assistance with English language development Assistance with homework Assistance with reading, writing, and math Saturday programs for students College tours and college readiness Career awareness More in-home tutoring Awareness of high school graduation requirements Assistance with early childhood and preschool programs Parent Advisory councils Assistance with the continuation of education for out of school youth InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Summary of Parent Survey Results from this survey indicate that a majority of parents participate in program services on a regular basis and are generally satisfied with the services they receive. The survey also shows that parents are most interested in English language assistance. Therefore, it is recommended that local programs consider this important need when planning the delivery of their services. InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Setting Parent Support Goals What Parents Report The following observations were reported by parents as not being consistently in place. These will become goals for creating a strong support link between the school and the home.  Create a warm and welcoming environment with Spanish-speaking front office staff  Provide consistent and high quality Spanish language translations and interpreters  Inform parents of what schools want parents to accomplish  Design a comprehensive parent engagement program  Provide sufficient in-depth parent resources InET Consortium Incentive Grant

The following are some topics parents and schools can discuss to establish a more active and visible parent involvement in the school life. What is my “story” as a binational migrant parent? How did I come to live in this community? What is my educational background? How can I discover and share my talents with the school? What do I contribute to the school community? How do I support my children at home? Am I a parent who wants to learn about technology? Do I share my struggles and triumphs as a parent? Promoting Family/Parent Engagement InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Promoting Family/Parent Engagement - Cont. Statements from parents to discuss during parent meetings: As parents, we can take a more proactive role that will help us have a deeper understanding of the school and their contributions and how that may meet or not fully meet the needs of our children. It is our responsibility to help the school improve but that may necessitate our taking a more visible role that focuses on the identified student’s needs and that considers the school as a partner in helping our child. The actions and roles we choose as a parent in working with the school and the classroom is a reflection of how we deeply care to make a difference in the life of our children. InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Creating Authentic & Live Partnerships between Home and School Schools  Know what parents need to support the students and the school  Communicate information to parents and ensure it is understood  Guide and train parents to understand and access school technology opportunities  Be proactive and anticipate student needs  Leverage language and cultural assets of parents and students  Open the school to parents InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Creating Authentic & Live Partnerships between Home and School – Con’t… Parents Seek a partnership approach with the school Become a student and school advocate Know what your child needs Know what programs are available to help your child Inform the school of unmet needs of your child Attend training and information sessions at school Offer your services and support InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Existing migrant programs promoting family/parent engagement State Parent Advisory Council (PAC) – CO: The state level PAC serves in an advisory capacity to the Director of Migrant Education. Their advice assists the Director in making decisions to improve the program. The PAC meets a minimum of three times a year. Meetings for the PAC provide information as well as professional development. The meetings are held at various sites throughout the state. InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Existing migrant programs promoting family/parent engagement - Cont. Summer schools and programs Community meetings Binational Teacher exchange/State PAC meeting (CO).- a combination of these two components is beneficial for them to interact and share ideas on parent involvement. InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Existing migrant programs promoting family/parent engagement. Con't…. Oregon MEP-Family Involvement Plan (FIP) In October 2010, FIP was introduced to serve the Migrant Education regional programs to coordinate a process for sharing best practices among regions while supporting academic, advocacy, and partnerships throughout the state. Currently, FIP 2.0, guided by the Oregon Service Delivery Plan continues to build un the foundation established by Epstein’s Schools-Family and Community Partnership Model, to train and prepare MEP staff and empower parents to advocate for and engage in their child’s education to increase their achievement level. InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Family/Parent Engagement Resources The Colorado Department of Education has developed a guidebook entitled Breaking Down Barriers, Creating Space which can be used as a resource to increase collaboration between schools and parents. The following chart serves as a guide on how to engage parents in a meaningful and parent friendly manner with a focus on improved student achievement. InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Family/Parent Engagement Resources Health Insurance for BN Migrant Parents Contact your respective state department of health for information and guidance Seek information on application and residency requirements Attain information in English and Spanish Determine eligibility/enrollment requirements InET Consortium Incentive Grant

History FocusPurposeProcessResources Engaging Parents Meaningful Relevant Timely Encouraging Parents will have specific ways of supporting students at home Mutual respect Survey/Prioritize Set goals Embed parent involvement in homework activities Select best times and days for parents Conduct home visits Work together to set specific student goals and expectations Welcome and greet parents in their language School programs Newsletters Parent Handbook Personal contacts Title I, ELL, SPED Reporting to Parents in English and Spanish “Como Se Dice/How do You Say” Preparing Parents Differentiated Leadership roles Home-School tools Competency in content areas Provide parent ELL classes and academic content classes Promote family literacy Identify parents’ skills that support the school Review and revise student goals monthly CSAP materials Parent Handbook Videos Parent resource books Parent space in school Title I, ELL, SPED Involving Parents Stakeholders in academic achievement Academically rigorous extended day programs Survey results Match parent’s skills & interests with activities Train leaders Provide extended day/year classes Develop community and parent mentoring relationships Teacher resources Parent Handbook Reporting to Parents in English and Spanish Community organizations Communicating with Parents Consistent Comprehensible Purposeful Creation of an inviting environment Parents as partners Seek parent input Translate documents Provide interpreters Identify student grade level expectations Plan activities that honor student’s heritage Share assessment outcomes in a comprehensible manner Newsletters Equipment for interpreting Alpine, student permanent record The EPIC Model InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Resources & Support Systems for Binational Migrant Parents  Centros comunitarios ndizaje ndizaje  Mexican consulates mexico-en-el-exterior mexico-en-el-exterior  Plazas comunitarias  OME  IME Becas  Colegio de Bachilleres – online  UNAM online  InET Consortium Incentive Grant

Contact: Frank S. Dávila, InET Coordinator For Further Information InET Consortium Incentive Grant