Promoting Success Through Parent Involvement

Promoting Success

Through

Parent Involvement

About the PIRC Grant

PIRC Grant (Parent Information Resource Center)

AEA 267 (Area Education Agency 267) IOWA DE (Iowa Department of Education) Tri-County Child and Family Development Council SAI (School Administrators of Iowa)

Respectful Communication

Respect Communication

Parents’ Involvement in their own child’s learning

Iowa Teaching Standards Standard 1:

Demonstrates ability to enhance academic performance and support for implementation of the school district’s student achievement goals.

Standard 2:

Demonstrates competence in content knowledge appropriate to the teaching position.

Iowa Teaching Standards Standard 3:

Demonstrates competence in planning and preparing for instruction.

Standard 4:

Uses strategies to deliver instruction that meet the multiple learning needs of students.

Iowa Teaching Standards Standard 5:

Uses a variety of methods to monitor student learning.

Standard 6:

Demonstrates competence in classroom management.

Iowa Teaching Standards Standard 7:

Engages in professional growth.

Standard 8:

Fulfills professional responsibilities established by the school district.

Teaching Standards and criteria, what statement could you make regarding parent involvement and expectations for teachers in the state of Iowa?

Thinking about Parent Involvement

Involvement

from a parent’s perspective… from a teacher’s perspective…

Did you imagine a continuum…

Continuum or Menu?

…or perhaps a menu?

parents who have chosen…

Every child who walks through these doors…

Every parent sees his or her past.

Our Definition:

Our Definition…

“Parents engaged in their own child’s learning”

High Performing Schools

High Performing Schools of many characteristics, which were narrowed into these nine areas:

1.

A clear and shared focus 2.

High standards & expectations for all students 3.

Effective school leadership 4.

High levels of collaboration & communication 5.

Curriculum, instruction & assessments aligned with state standards 6.

Frequent monitoring of teaching & learning 7.

Focused professional development 8.

A supportive learning environment 9. High levels of parent & community involvement

A New Wave of Evidence

Evidence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement www.sedl.org/connections/

Students with involved parents are more likely to…

Students with involved parents are more likely to…

…earn higher grades and test scores …be promoted, pass their classes, and earn credits …attend school regularly …have better social skills and improved behavior …graduate and go on to postsecondary education

Digging into the Research: A

A Jigsaw Activity

Jigsaw Activity What message did the research summary convey regarding Parent Involvement in general?

What message did the research summary convey regarding specific types of parent involvement?

Conclusion regarding Impact:

Conclusion Regarding Impact

The evidence is consistent, positive, and convincing: many forms of family and community involvement influence student achievement.

Programs and interventions that

Key Finding 1

children’s learning at home are linked to higher student achievement.

Epstein, Simon & Salinas (1997), Jordan, Snow & Porche (2000), Starkey & Klein (2000)

Key Finding 2

The more families support their children’s learning and educational progress, both in quantity and over time, the more their children tend to do well in school and continue their education.

Miedel & Reynolds (1999), Sanders & Herting (2000), Marcon (1999)

Families of all cultural backgrounds,

Key Finding 3

and often do, have a positive influence on their children’s learning.

Ho Sui-Chu & Willms (1996), Shaver & Walls (1998), Clark (1993)

Key Finding 4

Family and community involvement that is linked to student learning has a greater effect on achievement than more general forms of involvement.

Invernizzi, Rosemary, Richards & Richards (1997), Dryfoos (2000), Clark (2002)

1g 8e 1a 1g 8e 1g 8e 3c 4e ITS Key What

do

you do… or

could

Evidence Key Finding Activity Programs and interventions that engage families in supporting their children’s learning at home are linked to improved student achievement.

*Communicate involvement ideas to parents *Needs assessment re: parent skills needed *Provide “classes” in areas of need *Provide “interactive homework” *Documentation of communication *Response to parent feedback *Level of parent participation *Parent interaction with homework WHC The more families support their children’s learning and educational progress, both in quantity and over time, the more their children tend to do well in school and continue their education. Families of all cultural backgrounds, education, and income levels can, and often do, have a positive influence on their children’s learning.

Family and community involvement that is linked to student learning has a greater effect on achievement than more general forms of involvement.

initiatives focus on building respectful and trusting relationships among school staff, families, and community members, they are more effective in creating and sustaining connections that support student achievement.

Programs that successfully connect

Key Finding 5

involvement, are welcoming, and address specific parental and community needs.

Hoover-Dempsey & Sandler (1997), Sanders & Harvey (2000), Pena (2000)

Key Finding 6

Effective Connections embrace a philosophy of partnership where power is shared--- the responsibility for children’s educational development is a collaborative enterprise among parents, school staff, and community members.

Wang, Oates & Weishew (1997), Smrekar et al (2001), Moore (1998)

Key Finding 7

Parent involvement programs that are effective in engaging diverse families recognize cultural and class differences, address needs and build on strengths.

Scribner, Young & Pedroza (1999), Chrispeels & Rivero (2000), Lopez (2001)

Key Finding 8

Organized initiatives to build parent and community leadership aimed at improving low-performing schools are growing and leading to promising results in low-income urban areas and the rural South.

Mediratta, Fruchter & Lewis (2002), Jacobs & Hirota (2002), Wilson & Corbett (2000)

3c 4e 8e 8e ITS Key Findings… What

do

you do… or

could

you Evidence do…?

Key Finding Activity Programs that successfully connect with families and communities invite involvement, are welcoming, and address specific parental and community needs.

•Fall open-house •Invitations for various types of involvement •Family Math Night •Family Reading Night •Parent Survey regarding needs •Informational letter •Invitations/ responses •Math Night Observations/ Attendance/ Reactions •Parent Surveys with compiled results Effective connections embrace a philosophy of partnership where power is shared- the responsibility for children’s educational development is a collaborative enterprise among parents, school staff, and community members.

Parent involvement programs that are effective in engaging diverse families recognize cultural and class differences, address needs, and build on strengths.

WHC 1g 8e Organized initiatives to build parent and community leadership aimed at improving low-performing schools are growing and leading to promising results in low income urban areas and the rural South.

But…

A Question

“…we’re already doing lots of these things! How can we do any more?... and would adding more activities really make any difference? … and how could I find time to do any more?”

The Joining Process

The Joining Process

Meaningful Parent Involvement Welcome Leadership Honor Connect

Welcome Families and Community

Families are made to feel at home, comfortable, and a part of the school community.

In what ways are your school and your classroom welcoming to families?

Honor Families and Community

Family members are respected, validated and affirmed for any type of involvement or contribution they make.

How do you honor the various contributions that families make?

Connect with Families and Community

School staff and families put children at the center, and connect on education issues of common interest, designed to improve educational opportunities for the children.

How do you connect with families?

Welcome, Honor, Connect

Relationships

The “oil” that keeps the cogs in motion…

…For behind the parent stood the school , and behind the teacher stood the home .