Schools engage families in setting high expectations for students and actively partner with parents to prepare students for the next level.

 “... tonight I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college, a four-year school, vocational training, or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma.” President Barack Obama’s address to a Joint Session of Congress, February 24, High Expectations: Pathway to Prosperity

  High expectations and support are critical for our students’ success.  We know that involved parents and families lead to more successful schools and better results for students.  Preparing your child for a bright future is our top priority, and we will progress faster when we work in partnership. High Expectations: Pathway to Prosperity

  “Expect Success Guide” NYC DOE

  This guide outlines opportunities for you to get involved in your child’s education from the early years through high school.  Dennis Walcott  schools.nyc.gov/ParentsFamilies/expectsuccess.htm “Expect Success Guide”

 An Incredibly useful resource

  Core Believe #1 - All parents have dreams for their children and want the best for them.  Core Belief #2 - All parents have the capacity to support their children’s learning  Core believe #3 -Parent and school staff should be equal partners  Core belief #4 -….. Core Beliefs

  School leaders, principals must provide the resources, energy, and lead by example.  Teachers, create the culture of partnership by modeling in both words and deeds to entire school community. The responsibility for building partnerships between school and home rests primarily with school staff, especially school leaders

  Every increase in pressure on schools for accountability for student performance should be accompanied by an equal investment in increasing the knowledge and skills of teachers, administrators, students, and their families, for learning about how to meet these new expectations. Richard Elmore Harvard School of Education Principle of Reciprocity

  An effective way to determine whether your school treats families as equal partners is to examine and evaluate how often parents/guardians are given the opportunity to provide input in important decisions. Is your school ready to be equal partners with families?

 A Quick Assessment :  Does your school reach out to families outside of PTA/PTO?  Does your school invite families to observe in classrooms, review books and materials, and visit other schools for ideas?  Does your school invite families to attend staff development and faculty meetings?

 Does your school involve families in Action Research by first surveying families about aspects of home-school partnerships and then acting on the feedback? For example, does it request input regarding:  The best ways and times for home-school communication?  Family interest workshops?  Family and student perceptions of school climate?  Then does your school respond to this feedback? Does your school offer workshops about topics suggested by families? A Quick Assessment:

  These questions help schools assess how often they involve families in important decisions.  Answers to these questions help determine whether a school treats families as equal partners.  Let’s take a few minutes and write down an example of how your school partners with parents. How does your family-school community partner for success?

 This partnership can bring about joint efforts, one of which is link activities with learning.

 Linking Parent Involvement to Learning  Activities linked to learning  Parent workshops  College night  Science fair  Math night  Activities that might not be linked to learning  PTA meetings  Concerts  Talent shows  Family dinners  But, they can be…

 Once made a priority, the task of linking parent involvement in learning will become second nature.

  To work through the checklist in your packet that examines the extent to which your school’s parent involvement program is linked to learning. Take a few moments…