- 2005 Learning goals and student expectations will be clearly communicated to parents
- 2006 Opportunities for parents and teachers to discuss student strengths and weaknesses will be held
- 2007 Report cards/progress notes will be sent with conference opportunities
- 2008 Student/parent handbooks which include procedures, policies, etc... will be distributed
- 2009 Student work will be distributed so parents may comment
- 2010 Language barrier issues will be identified and resolved
- 2011 BES will use the Parent Involvement Specialist as liaison and to also distribute parent information and plan events
STANDARD II
PARENTING
Research has shown that environment and parenting techniques are a vital component to student success. The parents are the child’s first teacher---they provide the primary educational environment. However, many parents often feel inadequate when it comes to the education of their children. Often other issues such as drugs, young parents, inappropriate behavior, cultural barriers etc… play a factor in the home environment. School personnel should support positive parenting by respecting and affirming the strengths and skills needed by the parents to fulfill their role. When staff and faculty recognize parent roles and responsibilities, ask parents what supports they need, and work to find ways to meet those needs, they communicate a clear message that parents are valuable and that their input in the education of their children is valued. Boaz Elementary School will assist families with parenting skills and setting home conditions to support children as students, and also assist the faculty and staff to understand diverse families. With the growing diversity in the community, BES has the opportunity to bring together a group of people with common goals, not withstanding of background, education or economic status.
BES will therefore:
-Provide family support programs to assist families with health, nutrition, financial matters and other resources that support families.
-Provide parent training classes (Computer classes etc…)
-Provide parent education classes to improve language barriers.
-Provide home visiting programs to help families understand the school environment.
-Provide parents with literature and other resources.
INDICATORS OF SUCCESS:
-Faculty and staff will exhibit respect for parents as the most influential support in their children’s lives
-Faculty and staff will encourage all parents to be involved---not just the ones that are always visible
-Families of diverse cultures will be respected and valued for their contribution to the community. Barriers to communication will be resolved. BES will find ways to help parents share their unique qualities
-Opportunities for parents to obtain parenting skills will be provided
-Parents will be used for their individual talents. They will be involved as trainers for children, staff and other parents
-Faculty and staff will have a list of community resources available to parents
-Positive relationships between parents, teachers and children will be established
-A resource center will be provided with parent and community/local agency information in order to enrich the lives of not only students but the parents as well
STANDARD III
STUDENT LEARNING
Research confirms that the most critical relationship regarding student achievement remains the connection between the parent and teacher. Clear and concise expectations must always exist. It is a given fact that not all learning can take place in the school and that children will need additional help from their parents.
The importance of student learning and achievement presents an opportunity for schools and teachers to communicate with families and also provide avenues for involvement that will foster student success. Student learning increases when parents are invited into the process by helping at home. Most parents are willing to assist their children in learning, but many are not sure what assistance is most helpful and appropriate. Helping parents connect their children’s learning enables parents to communicate in powerful ways that they value education and the achievements of their children.
To achieve this standard, BES will:
-Provide in-service training for teachers and staff about techniques to engage parents in learning. Teachers will share success stories.
-Provide student project that will require parental assistance.
-Offer classes and other training opportunities for parents to acquire learning strategies to assist their children at home.
-Offer parents opportunities to be involved in decision making.
INDICATORS OF SUCCESS:
-Evidence of parents involved in classroom activities or school-related events
-Evidence of parent/teacher conference forms
-Evidence of homework assignments/projects for the parent/child to complete together
-Examples of skill expectations for each grade level
-Samples of individualized education plans or portfolios for students
-Evidence that parents are involved in the decision making
-Evidence that parents with certain expertise are involved in classroom or other school related functions
STANDARD IV
VOLUNTEERING
When most think of parent involvement, volunteering comes to mind. The parent volunteer is one of the most used methods to incorporate parent involvement into the school. It is relatively easy and often not too time consuming. However, if the school is to profit from its volunteers, methods to ensure all parents are being utilized must be implemented. Opportunities for the stay-at-home parent or parents of different cultures must be incorporated. Personal interests, areas of expertise, significant life experiences also must be exposed in order to provide a range of variety for the school climate. The school must think about ways to also combine parent expertise to community resources.
BES will:
-Use surveys and interviews to reach all parents.
-Organize a parent volunteer program.
-Create a warm climate that welcomes parents and encourages volunteering.
-Train parents to develop the necessary skills to help where needed in the school.
INDICATORS OF SUCCESS:
-Evidence of parent interest surveys
-Evidence of parent representatives in the school
-Evidence of an organized method of recruiting volunteers and avenues to include non-active parents
-Evidence that there are certain processes for all parent volunteers
STANDARD V
SCHOOL DECISION MAKING AND ADVOCACY
Parents are the “natural” advocates for their children and should be “full partners” with teachers and administrators in decisions affecting their children and families. They should also play an active role in policy-making. This partnership should be based on mutual trust, respect, and an appreciation for cultural diversity and tolerance for differing viewpoints.
BES will:
-Involve the parent advisory council, and other parent committees to incorporate parent leadership and participation.
-Provide networks to link all families with parent representatives and organizations.
-Encourage parents to be involved on policy making that reflects representation of the demographics of the school and community.
-Involve parents in the process of evaluating and planning school functions.
-Provide parents with all school performance data.
-Develop methods to treat parent concerns with respect.
-Provide parents knowledge of opportunities for involvement in educational issues beyond the local school level.
-Encourage parents to help with student placement.
INDICATORS OF SUCCESS:
- 2012 Evidence of administrative and teacher support for parent organizations
- 2013 Evidence that parents are involved in policy development and that the parents reflect the demographics of the community
- 2014 Evidence that parents are involved in the planning and evaluating of school functions
- 2015 Evidence that parents have access to student performance data
- 2016 Evidence that parents are involved with student placement
