1. ENHANCING PARENT ENGAGEMENT
Henderson Middle School
October 20, 2016
5:00pm to 6:00pm
Location
6th Grade Conference Room

2. Today’s Goals
Discuss the benefits of parent engagement for students, parents and staff
Define successful parent engagement
Identify barriers to successful parent engagement
Delineate what we can do to overcome these barriers and foster successful parental engagement
Identify the ways parents can be involved in their child’s education

3. Fall Parent Questionnaire Results
Insert your schools results from the Spring Parent Questionnaire here.
Discuss what the numbers mean.

4. What is Parent Engagement?

5. Definition
Parent Engagement is an ongoing process that increases active participation, communication and collaboration between parents, schools and communities with the goal of educating the whole child to ensure student achievement and success.
This is the definition from the U.S. Department of Education. What parts of this did we identify? Which parts did we not mention? (Take answers from parents and discuss)

6. Why is Parent Engagement so important?

7. According to the US Department of Education it is critical for…
Closing the achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers
Changing the culture of schools so they invest in and define success as the academic achievement of every child

8. Who benefits from parent engagement?

9. Student Benefits Higher achievement in reading Better attendance
Positive attitudes and behavior
Higher grades and test scores with fewer placements in Special Education
High graduation rates and greater enrollment in post-secondary education
Overall higher student achievement

10. School/Teacher Benefits
Higher student achievement
Increased student attendance
Better staff morale
Improved school atmosphere
Fewer parent complaints
Network of supportive parents and communities

11. Community Benefits Decreased crime and vandalism Decreased drug use
Increased community service

12. Student achievement improves…
In a home environment which encourages learning
When parents express high yet realistic expectations for their children’s achievement and future careers
When parents become involved in their children’s education at school and in the community

13. Parents are more likely to become involved when:
Parents understand that they SHOULD be involved
Parents feel INVITED by their school and children
Parents feel CAPABLE of making a contribution

14. The PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships
These are the PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships. The Georgia Department of Education has adopted these standards and utilizes them in all of their parent/family engagement efforts.

15. Standard 1: Welcoming All Families
Families are active participants in the life of the school and feel welcomed, valued and connected to each other, to school staff and to what students are learning in class.
Best Practices:
School has a welcoming environment
Parents are encouraged to visit the school at any time
A variety of family fun events are offered throughout the year
Personal interaction between the home and school such as phone calls, letters and meetings school
Staff receives training and support for parent engagement
Standard 1: Welcoming All Families
Definition
Best Practices for schools to use

16. Standard 1: Welcoming All Families
How family friendly is your child’s school?
Partnership School
Families are a partner in achieving educational outcomes
We connect family activities to student learning
The parent resource center is open, inviting and easy to access
Translators are available for non-English parents
Student progress is discussed once a month and parents participate in decision-making
Visitor parking and the building entrance are clearly marked
Open-Door School
There’s a parent coordinator to help families if they need something
Test scores are explained, if requested, and student work is sent home occasionally
We hold multi-cultural nights once a year
Parents can raise issues at PTA meetings or see the principal
We have a resource center for parents in a classroom down the hall
These are the levels of family friendliness. Where does our school fall? Where would be like to be?

17. Standard 1: Welcoming All Families
How family friendly is your child’s school?
Come-If-We-Call School
Parents are welcome when we invite them- Open House and conference day
We’ll let you know if there are any problems with your student
We know where to find community services if we need them
Fortress School
Parents belong at home, not in the school
Curriculum and standards are too complex for parents to understand. If students don’t do well, it’s because they don’t get enough family support
These parents just don’t care. If parents want more information, they can ask for it
These are the levels of family friendliness. Where does our school fall? Where would be like to be?

18. Standard 2: Communicating Effectively
Families and school staff engage in regular, two-way meaningful communication about student learning.
Best Practices:
All available methods of communication are used
Communications are understandable to all parents
Parents are given advanced notice
Meetings and opportunities are offered at various times/ locations
There is two-way communication
Communication is a priority for all staff
Standard 2: Communicating Effectively
Definition
Best Practices for schools to use

19. Standard 2: Communicating Effectively
Do you know…
The school’s mission and vision?
The school’s academic priorities?
What you can contribute to help increase student achievement and success?
In order to build family engagement, parents need to know…
The school’s academic message
What they can do to contribute
The levels and types of communication at the school
How to monitor/share progress
Discuss the first bullet.

20. Standard 2: Communicating Effectively
School mission
Expect More! S.O.A.R! 
We will excel in: 
Student Achievement and Growth 
Organizational Effectiveness, And
Relationships and Perceptions 
School vision
A community where education is a priority. 
Discuss the first bullet.

21. Standard 2: Communicating Effectively
In order to build family engagement, parents need to know…
The school’s academic message
See handbook
What they can do to contribute
Parent Workshops
PTO
Communicate with teachers and administration
The levels and types of communication at the school
Infinite Campus, Website (school and classroom),Remind, s
How to monitor/share progress
Progress Reports, Report Cards, Infinite Campus
Discuss the first bullet.

22. Standard 3: Supporting Student Success
Families and school staff continuously collaborate to support student learning and healthy development both at home and at school and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills to do so effectively.
Best Practices:
Opportunities exist for parents to learn about their child’s education
The link between parent engagement and student achievement is shown
Childcare, transportation or food is sometimes offered
Standard 3: Supporting Student Success
Definition
Best practices for schools to use

23. Standard 3: Supporting Student Success
Ways parents can monitor student progress
Progress reports/report cards
Parent Teacher Conferences
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Ways parents can work with students to improve achievement
Ask specific questions about the school day (classes, subjects, assignments, classmates, teachers)
Help with homework when you can
Read with your child and encourage him/her to read independently

24. Standard 4: Speaking Up for Every Child
Families are empowered to be advocates for their own and other children, to ensure that students are treated fairly and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success.
Best Practices:
Parents are developed as leaders
Parents are encouraged to network
Family support services are provided
Parents are used to train faculty and staff
There are concrete ways parents can contribute
Parents mentoring other parents
Standard 4: Speaking up for every child
Definition (BEING AN ADVOCATE)
Best practices for schools to use

25. Standard 5: Sharing Power
Families and school staff are equal partners in decisions that affect children and families and together inform, influence and create policies, practices and programs.
Best Practices:
Parents are utilized as true partners
Parents are brought into the policy-making process
School seeks parent feedback and suggestions
Standard 5: Sharing Power
Definition
Best practices for schools to use

26. Standard 5: Sharing Power
Parents should participate in decision making related to their education of their student. Ways to do this include:
Parent Teacher Conferences
Participating in school leadership groups
PTO
School Council
Sharing power and communicating are the two most important ways parents and educators can work together to improve student achievement.

27. Standard 6: Collaborating with the Community
Families and school staff collaborate with community members to connect students, families and staff to expanded learning opportunities, community services and civic participation.
Best Practices:
Partners join the shared vision of success
Activities involving interaction with local non-profits and community-based organizations are created
The school is open to community groups
School knows what resources are available and utilizes them
Standard 6: Collaborating with the community
Definition
Best practices for schools to use

28. Closing Thoughts
What does successful parent engagement mean at our school?
What barriers to parent engagement currently exist at our school?
What goals should we set for our staff members in order to break-down these barriers and enhance parent engagement?
What goals should we set for parents in order to aid in enhancing parent engagement?
Discuss these closing thoughts.
What do parents consider to be successful parent engagement?
What barriers exist to parent engagement?
Cooperatively develop goals for the school/staff/parents.

29. Questions and Feedback
Input on use of Parent Involvement funds
Input on staff training topics
Workshop Evaluation