Transcript Virginia Parent Resource Centers

…Promoting a collaborative partnership between
families, schools and communities to create positive
educational outcomes for Virginia’s school children
Supported by research. . .
Research concludes “the evidence is
consistent, positive and convincing: families
have a major influence on their children’s
achievement in school and through
life. . . .”
U.S. DOE Parent Involvement Non-Regulatory Guidance
Document, April 2004
Supported by Law. . .
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act:
defines parental involvement as the participation of
parents in regular, two-way and meaningful
communication involving student academic learning
and other school activities including:
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parents playing an integral role in assisting their child’s
learning
parents being actively involved in their child’s education at
school
parents acting as full partners in their child’s education
Supported by Law. . .
I
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act:
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Provides for parent involvement throughout the
special education process

Requires training for parents in the special
education process
VA PRC origins. . .
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In May of 1988, the Virginia Board of
Education set a goal to expand the network
of Parent Resource Centers statewide and to
earmark funds to assist local school divisions
with start-up costs.
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The VA Dept of Education added personnel
to serve as Parent Specialists in working with
PRCs across the Commonwealth.
VA State Improvement Plan . . .
Indicator 8: The percentage of parents with a child
receiving special education who report that
schools facilitated parent involvement as a
means of improving services and results for
children with disabilities.
2008 Results
Part B Preschool
Part B K-12
40%
31%
Virginia Parent Resource Center
Network
Map of VA with locations marked
http://www.vaprcs.org/
Virginia Parent Resource Centers…
…provide services within the local school
system to promote meaningful family
involvement including:

Maintaining a lending library of resources
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Offering training on such topics as parenting,
disability awareness, IEP development and the
special education process and special education
regulations.
Virginia Parent Resource Centers…
 Providing
information regarding conferences and
training opportunities
 Sharing
community resource information
 Supporting
individuals within the community with
one-on-one meetings, phone calls and/or emails
 Publishing
newsletters and maintaining websites of
resources for families and educators
Virginia Parent Resource Centers
What do parents and professionals say with
regard to Parent Resource Centers?
http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/vaprcs/video/Gray_0001.wmv
http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/vaprcs/video/Purple.wmv
http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/vaprcs/video/Tan.wmv
Survey of
Virginia Parent Resource Centers
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Online survey emailed to all 50 PRCs
in Fall 2009
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Data reported for school year 2007-2008
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Number of surveys completed:
37
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Return rate:
74%
Virginia Parent Resource Centers Serve...
One school division only
92%
More than one school division
8%
Areas that are:
Rural
32%
Suburban
51%
Urban
6%
Virginia Parent Resource Centers Serve
Different Constituents...
• Parents
• Educators
People Served
100%
100%
80%
• Other
professionals
• Members of
the community
84%
60%
89%
73%
40%
35%
20%
0%
Children with Children at
of
Risk
Disabilities Parents
Parents of
All children
Educators
Others
Virginia Parent Resource Centers Serve
Parents of Children with...
Speech/Language Impairment
4
Specific Learning Disabilities
15
Severe Disabilities
1
11
Other Health Impairment
Intellectual Disabilities
12
Multiple Disabilities
6
Emotional Disturbance
6
11
Developmental Delay
24
Autism
0
5
10
15
20
25
Num ber of Tim es Cited Am ong the Top Three Served
Virginia Parent Resource Centers Serve
Diverse Groups...
• African American
64%
• Asian
• Hispanic
• White
• Multiracial
20%
5%
5%
5%
Virginia Parent Resource Centers Help
Parents Directly...
By providing
training and
Information
workshops;
information and
resources; and
telephone calls, emails,
and in-person
consultations.
Training
10,770
Consultation
32,576
Number of Parents Served
15,594
Virginia Parent Resource Centers Provide
Training...
In 2007-2008, over 750 training sessions, workshops, and
presentations were conducted.
Parents
Educators
8,343
2,820
Number of Participants
Others
1,645
Virginia Parent Resource Centers Keep
People Informed...
Through newsletters delivered to:
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Parents
Educators
Administrators
School Board members
Community agencies
Other service providers
Special Education Advisory Committee members
Number of Newsletters Distributed
2007-2008
141,350
Virginia Parent Resource Centers
Newsletters...
Provide up-to-date information about:
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Evidence-based practices
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Current research
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Advances in knowledge
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Success stories
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Local, state, and national news, events,
and conferences
Virginia Parent Resource Centers
Newsletters...
Sent via mail, email, school distribution, & other means.
s
s
Virginia Parent Resource Centers Use
Technology...
Number of PRCs Reporting They Have:
•
Web site:
•
Blog
2
•
Own Web address
9
•
Link on school division Web site
24
28
Virginia Parent Resource Centers Use
Technology...
Number of PRCs Reporting
They Have:
Link on School
Division Web Site
Web Site
Own Web
Address
24
Blog
2
9
28
Top Three Concerns Reported by Virginia
Parent Resource Centers...
• IEP process and content
• Behavioral issues
• Resources and support services
VA Parent Resource Centers . . .
Do so much for families and
schools to build collaborative
connections to improve student
outcomes!