It Takes a Village…Encouraging Parent Involvement

Through Title I and After-school Partnerships

Presenter: Wendy French Director of Federal Programs Mountain View School District 244 Grangeville, Idaho

Disclaimer I am not a world-renowned expert in the field of parent involvement and partnerships, nor do I claim to have research “guru” status!

However….. I do claim to be a lifelong learner.

I do claim and believe in parent, school, and community partnerships as a way to positively impact student learning and achievement.

To Promote “Going Green” and “Saving Trees”….

I will provide you with the website address for this presentation, as well as a Parent Involvement brochure for your use, if you so choose, at the end of this presentation.

What do you hope to take from today’s session?

Information on parent involvement & partnerships?Research?Resources?Maybe you want to hear an inspiring story? Or, want to share a story of your own?Or ask a question? There will be a Q & A at the end of the session. Do not feel like you have to wait until the Q & A to ask a question. Anytime during the session is fine. I welcome conversation with attendees!

My hope….1. Attendees will gain knowledge concerning research on parent

involvement2. Attendees will receive information on a Title I/21st Century

Community School partnership, and how partnerships can impact a school community.

3. Attendees will be given an opportunity to ask questions of the presenter, and other members of the school partnership team.

4. Attendees will view State resources for parent involvement and research.

5. Attendees will leave this break-out session with something new to share with at least one colleague.

So..Let’s get started this morning with a little humor and nostalgia….

Remember when parent involvement was considered asmembership in the PTA?

http://www.youtube.com/embed/4ivUOnnstpg

What was parent involvement like when you were growing up? Here’s your opportunity to share!

Connecting parentinvolvement…To the needs of the “Village”

A “Village” made of Different colors of people, From a variety of cultures,education, and socio-economic status.

A “Village” anywhere in the world…

• http://www.youtube.com/embed/1UVfZGyEVRU

Why We, as the “Village”, Care for the children who live there….

Let’s take a look at some Idaho Data and Research and see if there are connections to parent and community involvement…

Idaho County Juvenile Alcohol Arrests

Idaho County Juvenile Drug Arrests

Research points involving Prevention Prove Supportive and Caring School Environments are Critical!

When students find their school environment to be supportive and caring, they are less likely to become involved in substance abuse, violence, and other problem behaviors (Hawkins, Catalano, Kosterman, Abbott, & Hill 1999; Battistich & Hom 1997; Resnick et al. 1997).

They are more likely to develop positive attitudes toward themselves and prosocial attitudes and behaviors toward others (Schaps, Battistich, & Solomon 1997).

Much of the available research shows that supportive schools foster these positive outcomes by promoting students’ sense of “connectedness” (Resnick et al. 1997), “belongingness” (Baumeister & Leary 1995), or “community” (Schaps, Battistich, & Solomon 1997) during the school day.

When parents, teachers, students, and others view one another as partners in education, a caring community forms around students and begins its work (Epstein, 1995).

Safe and Drug Free Schools Primary Program Objectives emphasize the importance of parents and community!

•Develop age appropriate comprehensive drug education and prevention programs involving parents, schools and community.

•Provide a school environment that is a safe and drug-free place for students to learn and for adults to work.

•Enhance interwoven prevention and awareness activities that assist in the development of risk/ protective factors, life skills, and build on developmental assets. http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/safe_drugf

ree/

So…In the “Village” how important are the Parents?

Studies have found that students withinvolved parents, no matter what theirincome or background, are more likely to ~

✜ earn high grades and test scores, and enroll in higher–level programs; ✜ pass their classes, earn credits, and be promoted; ✜ attend school regularly; and ✜ graduate and go on to postsecondary education.

Henderson, A., & Mapp, L. K. 2002. Anew wave of evidence: The impact of school, family, and

community connections on student achievement, annual synthesis 2002. Austin, TX: SEDL.

Idaho County Free & Reduced

When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more.”

Henderson, A., & Mapp, L. K. 2002. Anew wave of evidence: The impact of

school, family, and community connections on student achievement, annual synthesis 2002. Austin, TX: SEDL, p. 7.

Research from…“The 9 Characteristics of High Performing Schools”Characteristic #9

“There is a sense that all have a responsibility to educate students, not just teachers and school staff. Families, businesses, social service agencies, and community colleges/universities all play a vital role in this effort.”

From the Federal guidance on parent involvement: (Elementary/Secondary Education Act)

What is Parent Involvement?

• The term ‘parental involvement’ means the participation of parents in regular, two-way, meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring –

• That parents play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning;

• That parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school;

• That parents are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child; and

• The carrying out of other activities, such as those described in section 1118 of the ESEA.

[Section 9101(32)]

Establishing Parent VolunteersParents can volunteer in classroomactivities as a way to share responsibilityfor student learning. Volunteering andobserving in the classroom is also astrategy that helps both the school andparents build and develop a partnership

tohelp students achieve the state’s highstandards.

[Section 1118(d)(1), ESEA]http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/parentInvolvement/

Time to look at some great resources available to learn more about national programs, Idaho research, and parent-related topics…

Recommended Reading supporting parent and community partnerships…

Parent Involvement video highlighting author, Karen Mapp, from Beyond the Bake Sale

http://www.youtube.com/embed/B746O7TqnIE

http://www.projectappleseed.org/

Let’s Explore the Idaho State Department of Education’s Community “Tool Box” for some answers…. http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/safe_drugfree/

http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/safe_drugfree/data_resources.htm#11

Great Resource!

Sharing a story from the Toolbox

Our Model of Practice: Building Capacity for Community and System Change

  ExamplesContributed by Stephen B. Fawcett, et al.

Edited by Jenette Nagy and Stephen B. Fawcett

Idaho Drug Free Youth Website:Parent Information

http://www.idahodrugfreeyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/Brain-Research-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Resource worth viewing and reviewing!

We’ve looked at National and Idaho data, research & resources. Now, it’s time to bring this information closer to home….in rural, Idaho County, Kooskia, Idaho…What you’ve been waiting to hear about…

A special partnership between a Title I Elementary School and the After-School 21st Century Community Center

Questions to answer:1) What was the need?2) What brought together this partnership?3) What were the components of the

program?4) Was the program well-received? (Survey

results)5) What was the biggest “surprise” from the

partnership?6) Was the program sustainable?7) Did the partnership impact families?

What was the need?

• Demographics of Title I Elementary School:101 of 159 students are on free/reduced

lunch(64%) Research studies support the premise that poverty

has a negative impact on a student’s achievement (Cairney & Ruge, 1999; Pianta, La Paro, Payne, Cox, & Bradley, 2002; Tavernise, 2012).

Research supports the positive impact of parental involvement and community partnerships on student achievement (Jeynes, 2005; Miedel & Reynolds, 1999; Taylor & Pearson, 2004; WestEd, 2007).

What brought together this partnership?

• A common purpose & Goal: Parent involvement……

Title I Grant Goal: A community parent program will support activities within the classroom, and in turn, encourage parent involvement. Computer access to the Powerschool Portal will encourage communication with their child’s teacher. (Parent involvement is a required component of all Title I programs in the Nation)

21st Century Community Learning Centers Objective: 85% of regular program participants will have at least one family member participate in 2 or more academic enrichment activities per year.

What were the components of the program?

Parent Coordinator – duties: Scheduled parent volunteers in the classroom; any related parent training; supported teachers within the classroom.

Computer-lab assistant – duties: Training parents on basic computer skills during open computer lab hours, 2 evenings per week.

After-school 21st Century Community Center Teacher – duties: provide enrichment activities for students while parents were learning in the Computer Lab.

Was the program well-received?

Parent Volunteer Survey Responses:(random responses selected)1. Do you help out on a regular basis?“Yes, on Fridays.”“I try and help at least once or twice every 2

weeks.”

2. Do you enjoy helping out?“Yes! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the

children and to watch them learn & grow-very rewarding!”

“Yes, very much!”

3. Do you feel your child does better in school because you are involved in his/her education?

“Yes! I think my son tries harder when he knows that I care enough to come in and spend time in his class. I think it helps build his confidence and security.”

5. Do you see an improvement in their attitude towards school since you started volunteering?

“Yes, he loves school and his teacher. He also loves all the other volunteers who work in the class. They are all doing a great job and we appreciate all of them.”

“My son really looks forward to my coming to his class to help.”

4. Do you see any improvements in their test grades or completed homework assignments since you started volunteering?

“Yes, steady improvement! He really tries hard to make me proud, and I am.”

“My son loves doing homework when I can help him.”

The BIGGEST challenge…Sustainability...

Was the program sustainable?•When the grant funds were exhausted, the

Computer Lab program had to be suspended, as well as the After-school enrichment teacher who worked during the computer lab hours.

•The parent volunteer in the classroom program was able to continue, as the skills parents gained from training with the Parent Coordinator provided sustainability.

•The District has been researching possible funding sources in order to re-open the Computer Lab for the school community.

What was the biggest “surprise” from the partnership? The Computer Lab

•The Computer Lab averaged from 4 to 13 attendees each evening during the 3 months the grant was in place.

Even after the grant funds were exhausted, community member (young and old) still inquired if the computer lab was open for training. Unfortunately, we had to respond, “no”.

Did the partnership impact families? An Inspirational Letter from Bekki

I am a grandmother of 5. When my kids were growing up, I couldn’t even turn on a computer. My kids learned a lot, but I wasn’t able to help them at all. I felt very frustrated and helpless. Now I am raising 2 of my grandchildren. Because of the computer class, I am able to turn on the computer, have an email address, and I am learning how to budget. I will be able to help my grandchildren with their studies, and not feel helpless anymore. I never want to feel helpless, again.

I told the computer assistant that when I first started,

I was afraid for a better word…afraid to fail. And yet, here I am writing this letter to you. I’m not afraid anymore. My only fear is that we won’t be able to continue this class. If you could find a way to keep this class open, I would be here every time with bells on, if required.

Sincerely, Bekki

After all this discussion, what do the children of the “Village” say about Parent Involvement….an interesting interview with students by CNN.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/wK-yIIOg5wo

The reality is…We have a “Village”

A “Village” made of Different colors of people, From a variety of cultures,education, and socio-economic status.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/Wj9tw23f3vw

And….the “Village” must care about it’s children...

Q & A

Parent Involvement Brochure available at:

Resources available online!

Today’s presentation PowerPoint is available online at:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/_GUcy6RUdNg

Washington State Program:-Communities in Schools: Promoting School Success 4:58

Program Resources:

American Association of School Administrators –AASA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4MFsnsx_bU&feature=related 5:10