Leave No Parent Behind Kristina Parin FDN 5560 June 28, 2005

Importance Of Parental Involvement Studies show parents who are more involved in their child’s learning, the greater the impact on achievement. Parental involvement also benefits teachers and schools by increasing teacher morale and building a better community. Strong effects also result when parents are involved throughout the high school years. (Brown, 2002)

So, What Is No Child Left Behind (NCLB)? NCLB is a way to hold schools accountable for student achievement. Requires states to test children in reading and math every year in grades 3-8. Schools are given a report card to see if they met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). (Dept. of Education, 2002)

Important Terms to Understand For NCLB Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) – used to explain how schools meet state reading and math goals. ABCs – NC’s way of looking at the school and individual student performance over time. End Of Grade (EOG) – NC state assessment to determine achievement in reading and math. Title 1 – reading program to help children from low-income families. (Dept. of Education, 2002)

What is NCLB Look Like In North Carolina? In NC we have two sets of assessments in place for elementary schools K-2 Assessment (not a part of NCLB) End Of Grade Tests (grades 3-5) Schools then are then given a percentage of how many students passed, and that shows if a school is in need of extra services or are given incentives. (NC Dept. of Instruction, 2005)

K-2 Assessment Reading Assessment (K-2 nd grade) Alphabet Sounds of letters Parts of a book Rhyming Answering questions to books (retell). Math Assessment Performance based (hands on assessments)  Sorting  Patterns  Number skills

End Of Grade Standards Grades 3-5 (up to 8 th grade) A yearly test given at the end of the year for 10 days to assess reading and math. Students are then given a Performance Level Level I – Not sufficient mastery of a subject matter Level II – Inconsistent mastery of subject matter Level III – Mastery of subject matter Level IV – Superior mastery of a subject matter (Public Schools of North Carolina, 1999)

What Can Parents Do To Help Their Children? Meet with your child’s teacher and ask questions to see what you can do at home. Make sure your child attends school regularly. Provide a quiet, comfortable place for studying at home. Make sure your child is well rested and makes healthy food choices. Provide books and magazines for your child to read at home. (Brown, 2002)

What Can The School Do To Help? Have parents volunteer, and if they can’t, include them in parent nights and PTA. Communicate effectively with conferences, monthly folders of student work, calendars of activities, and provide language translators if needed. Include parents in decision making and develop parent representatives for school. Collaborate with community to strengthen school programs. (Project Appleseed, 2004)

How To Avoid Test Anxiety Space studying over days or weeks and don’t “cram” the night before. Read the directions carefully, and ask the teacher if you don’t understand. Look quickly at the exam to see what kinds of questions they are asking. If you don’t know the answer skip it and go back to it later. (U.S. Dept. of Education, 1993)

Where Can I Find Out More? A great site to get parents involved in schools For specific North Carolina standards Information from the Department of Education Test taking strategies for parents and children