1. Beyond the Parent-Teacher Conference: Partnerships that Enhance Student Learning Developed by Mary Louise Silva, Director of Parent & Community Engagement msilva@laalliance.org (213) 943-4930 ext. 1011 or (818) 439-1271

2. What has been your experience working in partnership with parents? Which tools did you use? What was the outcome? What would you do differently or the same?

3. Workshop Goal: Provide teachers with research-based strategies to enhance student learning at home and at school. Provide tools that support/expand TCRP Domain 4.4. 3

4. Expected Outcomes: You will learn: 1.Review the importance of establishing parent-teacher partnerships 2.How to develop home-to-school partnerships to support student learning 4

5. Alliance Core Values: 1.High expectations for all students 2.Small, personalized schools and classrooms 3.Increased instructional time 4.Highly qualified principals and teachers 5.WORKING WITH PARENTS AS PARTNERS 5

6. Alliance Parent Engagement Model: 40-HOUR ANNUAL VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT 1. School Support 2. Academic Support 6

7. TCRP - Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities 7 4.4 Develop two-way communication with families about student learning and achievement a)Initiation of meaningful communication b)Responsiveness to parent inquiries and communication c)Inclusion of the family as a partner in learning decisions (and the learning process) Level III

8. Parent Involvement = Student Success Higher grades and test scores Improved attendance Better social skills More likely to graduate from high school and go on to college

9. Research has proven…. When parents and teachers work together, everyone benefits. Students tend to: earn higher grades, perform better on tests, attend school more regularly, have better behavior, show more positive attitudes toward themselves and toward school. Teacher morale improves. Teachers are free to focus on the task of teaching. Parents are more involved in their child’s school experience. 9.

10. 10 Its not always clear to families and schools how to form meaningful parent- teacher partnerships (beyond parent- teacher conferences, Back to School Night and Open House) to support student learning.

11. Framework for Developing Home-School Partnerships Primary Goal: Parents and educators working together to improve the school and support the success of all children. Requires: Re-visioning attitudes, roles, and practices (parent involvement must be viewed as indispensable) True collaboration among educators and parents - 4 Elements of a True Partnership Include: – Creating two-way communication (we covered this last year) – Enhancing learning at home and at school – Providing mutual support – Making joint decisions

12. Enhancing Learning at Home and at School Children’s learning is enhanced if parents and teachers use an array of complementary strategies to contribute to their learning and development. Two major avenues include: 1.Creating opportunities for parent involvement in children’s learning at school. 2.Creating a culture at home that supports school success. 12

13. Parent involvement in children’s learning at school Share your syllabus/curriculum – Translate to appropriate home language – Post online or on teacher website (include a video) Invite parents to visit your class. Schedule “Celebration of Learning” meetings with parents – Reintroduce curriculum and conduct a mock lesson – Review content standards Encourage parents to serve as tutors, aides or volunteers – Identify parent interest/expertise (questionnaire or call) – Provide training and indicate expectations Identify parents to serve as mentors for students 13

14. Create a culture at home that supports school success Assign homework that is linked to student learning (interactive homework assignments) Share learning resources to supplement a particular lesson (pamphlets, online resources, books) Develop tips or offer workshops regarding how parents can help their children be successful in Math, Science, etc. Organize a Family Math or Literacy Night Establish a homework hotline Hold actual and/or virtual office hours for parents 14

15. Exercise 1: Building Learning Partnerships The school has given each teacher a mini grant of $200 to develop a project that directly involves parents with student learning. How would you spend the money? 1.Describe the activity 2.List resources needed 3.Indicate the steps you are going to take to accomplish the activity. 15

16. Exercise 2: Parent Tips Review Tips to Help Parents to Foster Students’ School Success. 1.Indicate which tips you would include or omit. Re-order if necessary. 2.Add additional tips to help parents understand how their child can be successful in your class. 3.How would you share this information with parents? 16

17. Questions/Comments

18. Resources: Developing Home-School Partnerships: From Concepts to Practice by Susan McAllister Swap What Does an Effective Partnership Look Like?/ED.govBlog

19. THANK YOU!