National Representative 2012 – 2013 Using PTAs National Standards for Family School Engagement

Using PTAs National Standards for Family School Partnerships

By the end of this workshop you will: Have increased your understanding of effective family engagement. Know PTAs National Standards for Family – School Partnerships. Know about available resources and support to help you implement your PTA programs using the Standards.

What is effective family engagement?

There are 3 components of effective, sustained, and systematic family and community engagement…

Effective Family Engagement Component 1 A Shared Responsibility in which: Schools and other community agencies and organizations are committed to engaging families in meaningful and culturally respectful ways, and Families are committed to actively supporting their childrens learning and development.

Effective Family Engagement Component 2 Cradle to Career: Continuous across a childs life, spanning from Early Head Start programs to college and career.

Effective Family Engagement Component 3 Across Contexts: Carried out everywhere that children learn – o at home o in pre-kindergarten programs o in school o in after-school programs o in faith-based institutions o in community programs and activities

Why is Family Engagement Important?

Students with Involved Parents Are More Likely To: No matter what their family income or background may be, students with involved parents are more likely to: Earn higher grades and test scores Pass their classes Attend school regularly Have better social skills Graduate and go on to postsecondary education Henderson, A., & Mapp, K. (2002). A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family, and community connections on student achievement. Austin, TX: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory.

Effective Parent Involvement Helps Improve Achievement New research shows that meaningful family and community engagement is one of five essential ingredients for effective school reform: 1.(Principal) leadership as the driver for change 2.Parent-school-community ties 3.Professional capacity 4.Student-centered learning climate 5.Instructional guidance Bryk, A.S., Sebring, P.B., Allensworth, E., Luppescu, S., & Easton, J.Q. (2010). Organizing schools for improvement: Lessons from Chicago. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

The Implementation Effective Family Management

The Standards National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships

Welcoming All Families Standard 1 Goal 1: Creating a Welcoming Climate o Develop personal relationships o Create a family-friendly atmosphere o Provide opportunities for volunteering Goal 2: Building a Respectful, Inclusive School Community o Respect all families o Remove economic obstacles to participation o Ensure accessible programming

Communicating Effectively Standard 2 Goal: Sharing Information Between School and Families o Use multiple communication paths o Survey families to identify issues and concerns o Have access to the principal o Provide information on current issues o Facilitate connections among families

Supporting Student Success Standard 3 Goal 1: Sharing Information About Student Progress o Ensure parent-teacher communication o Link student work to academic standards o Use standardized test results to increase achievement o Share school progress Goal 2: Supporting Learning by Engaging Families o Engage families in classroom learning o Develop family ability to strengthen learning at home o Promote after-school learning

Speaking Up for Every Child Standard 4 Goal 1: Understanding How the School System Works o Understand how the school and district operate o Understand rights and responsibilities under federal and state laws o Learn about resources o Resolve problems and conflicts Goal 2: Empowering Families to Support Their Own and Other Childrens Success in School o Develop families capacity to be effective advocates o Plan for the future o Smooth transitions o Engage in civic advocacy for student achievement

Sharing Power Standard 5 Goal 1: Strengthening the Familys Voice in Shared Decision Making o Have a voice in all decisions that affect children o Address equity issues o Develop parent leadership Goal 2: Building Families Social and Political Connections o Connect families to local officials o Develop an effective parent involvement organization that represents all families

Collaborating with Community Standard 6 o Link to community resources o Organize support from community partners o Turn the school into a hub of community life o Partner with community groups to strengthen families and support student success Goal: Connecting the School with Community Resources

Best Practices Helping Your PTA Use the Standards

Best Practices National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships Examples Boston Public Schools Uses the Standards as a Part of their Training for Principals and School Staff Indiana PIRC Embedded the Standards into their Curriculum for Statewide Parent Leadership Academies Kansas has Integrated the Standards in their States Guidelines for School Improvement Plans

Standards in State Policy 10 States have Codified the Standards into Law 5 States have Included the Standards In State Policy

Programs to Help Your PTA Use The Standards

Take Your Family To School Week

Take Your Family To School Week PTA Program National Standards for Family School Partnerships Funding for Your PTA Grants of up to $1,000 are available Take Your Family to School Week will be celebrated on February 12-18, 2012 Apply in fall 2011 on PTA.org

Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family-School Partnership Award

Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family School Partnership Award PTA Program National Standards for Family School Partnerships One award is given to a PTA for its outstanding work in demonstrating effective family engagement.

Three For Me (Engagement Tool)

Three for Me (Engagement Tool) PTA Program-National Standards for Family School Partnerships Tool to Engage Parents Learn More at

Tools to Help Your PTA Use the Standards

The National Standards Assessment Guide Allows you to rate yourself on your progress in meeting the Standards. One of PTAs most popular tools!

Family Engagement Tools Tip Sheets for Parents and Teachers 100 Ways to Help Your Child and School Succeed (brochure and poster) National Standards Poster National Standards Brochure National Standards Assessment and Implementation Guides …and More!

Questions?

(800) 307-4PTA (4782) PTA.org For a copy of this presentation, visit