How the System Might Address Parental Involvement

2007 Institute for School Improvement and Education Options

Panelists

• • •

Kate Kressley, RMC Research and CII Eva Patrikakou, CII Reatha Owen, CII

Parents are part of the solution for improved student learning

S O L I D Foundation

Strategies

to fit your school’s purpose and plan

Building a Solid Foundation

Parents are an essential part of the solution for improved student learning.

Why is Parent Involvement Important?

Research shows that parent involvement is crucial for…

•

Academic achievement outcomes Parent involvement is associated with higher student achievement outcomes such as grades, standardized scores, or teacher reports

•

Social and behavioral outcomes Parent involvement is associated with preventing risky behaviors and reducing juvenile delinquency

Juvenile Delinquency and High School Completion Rates by Parent Involvement Rating ________________________________________________________________________ Parent Involvement Juvenile Delinquency High School Completion ________________________________________________________________________ 0 22.6% 37.3% 1 2 22.4% 16.1% 49.5% 66.2% 3 4 12.6% 13.9% 69.6% 70.6% 5 11.3% 83.1% 6 8.7% 82.6% ________________________________________________________________________ From: Reynolds, A. & Clements, M. (2005). Parent involvement and children’s school success. In E.N. Patrikakou, R.P. Weissberg, J. Redding, S., & H.J. Walberg. (Eds). School Family Partnerships for Children’s Success (pp. 109-127). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Parent Involvement and Learning Requirements in Federal Education Programs

Title I Safe & Drug-Free Schools After-School Programs English Language Acquisition Special Education

No Child Left Behind and Parent Involvement Mandates

 School-Parent Compact   District Policy School Policy     Report Cards Parent Choice State Review Home-School Communication

How well are we doing in meeting these mandates?

Between 2003-2006 the U.S. Department of Education monitoring of 53 State Education Agencies for Title I parent requirements revealed that . . .

72% were not in compliance

Why Solid Foundation?

Because it works… in helping schools assess their needs and plan parent involvement targeted to student learning.

Solid Foundation: An evidence-based foundation

Solid Foundation is designed to:

•

Strengthen family-school connections

•

Engage parents in children’s learning

•

Improve student academic and social learning

Why Solid Foundation?

With Solid Foundation, the connection between parents and their children’s learning is not left to chance.

An Evidence-based Foundation

A study of 129 low-performing schools in Illinois showed that Solid Foundation: Significantly improved student achievement on State tests Above and beyond the control group Above and beyond all elementary schools in Illinois From: Redding, Langdon, Meyer, & Sheley, M. (2004). The Effects of Comprehensive Parent Engagement on Student Learning Outcomes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Family Research Project

Solid Foundation Effectiveness Study Mean Difference (Gain) From 2001-2003 in Percent of Students Meeting or Exceeding Sate Expectations on ISAT

2 1.5

1 .5

0 5 4.5

4 3.5

3 2.5

Solid Foundation Control Group Illinois

Solid Foundation’s History

 Developed, field-tested, refined by Academic Development Institute (ADI) in 18 states over 20 years.

 Supported by foundations, Regional Educational Laboratory, PIRC funding, and Illinois SEA.

What is Solid Foundation?

 A web-based tool to assess, plan, implement, and monitor parent involvement at the school level.

 A two-year assessment-planning implementation cycle for the School Improvement Plan.

Features of Solid Foundation

Quality Resources Self-Sustaining Methods Flexible Options External Partner Support Site-Based Decision Making Web-Based System Step by Step Approach

Solid Foundation Flowchart

External Partner School – Based Team Local Education Agency State Education Agency Regional Comprehensive Center Center on Innovation & Improvement

Two-Year Cycle

Assess Implement Plan

Who is responsible for this process?

The principal and the school team guide the Solid Foundation process.

What is a school team?

The school team can be a school improvement team or other school-based team that includes the principal, teacher representatives, parent representatives, and parent facilitator.

Parents are an important part of this team.

What is an external partner?

The external partner is a technical assistance provider from a partnering organization who assists the school team in the Solid Foundation process.

Who can be partnering organization?

       School District State Education Agency Regional Office of Education (ROE) Statewide System of Support (SSOS) Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC) Community Based Organization Other

What kinds of assistance does the external partner provide?

 Orient the school team  Assist the team with assessment and planning  Build capacity with training and assistance  Monitor progress

Sample Timeline

Solid Foundation – Phase 1 Orientation Meeting Complete School Information Form Complete Policy Analysis Complete School Community Survey Complete Needs Assessment Solid Foundation – Phase 2 Implement Action Plan Monitor Progress Create Action Plan Evaluate Progress and Repeat Solid Foundation Process

Solid Foundation Web Page

10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School Community Step 1 The partnering organization applies online and receives a web-based training.

Step 2 The principal completes the School Information Form online and organizes a school team.

10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School Community Step 3 The principal gathers 6 key documents

     

District Parent Involvement Policy School Parent Involvement Policy Homework Policy Compact Classroom Visit Policy Student Report Card

Sample Compact Analysis

10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School Community Step 4 The external partner (with the school team) reviews the School Information Form and scores the 6 key documents with Solid Foundation’s web-based rubrics.

Step 5 The school team completes the School Community Survey Step 6 The principal downloads the Resource Manual

Resource Manual - TOC

Resource Manual -

Samples

10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School Community Step 7 Step 8 The school team completes a needs assessment using their School Information Form, Policy Analysis, and School Community Survey results.

The school team develops an action plan based on the need assessments and School Improvement Plan.

10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School Community Step 9 The principal leads the school team and other staff and volunteers in implementing the action plan.

Step 10 The school team monitors progress with implementation and updates the action plan.

“Solid Foundation helped us identify how parents can make an academic and social difference in their child’s life at home and school. I would recommend this tool to anyone who is interested in improving their school community. Expect real results .”

Tony Brooks, Cahokia Illinois Principal

Contact Information

www.families-schools.org

Reatha Owen Center on Innovation & Improvement 121 North Kickapoo Lincoln, IL 62656 1-800-759-1495 ext. 17 Kate Gill Kressley RMC Research 1000 Market Street, Bldg 2 Portsmouth, NH 03801 1-800-258-0802