PARENT INVOLVEMENT POLICY
AND
PARENT INVOLVEMENT PLAN
FOR
HUMBOLDT CITY SCHOOLS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Parent
Involvement Plan Page
7
District
Action Plan Page
11
School
Action Plan Page
16
POLICY
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Monitoring: Descriptor
Team:
Descriptor Code: Issued
Date: Review: Annually, Parent/Family Involvement 4.502
In June Educational Programs Rescinds: Issued
4.502/4.5021 |
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS
FOR ALL SCHOOLS
The school district shall be governed by the statutory definition of parent involvement as cited in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), and shall carry out programs, activities, and procedures in accordance with this definition.1
The Board shall implement the following as required by federal and state legislation2:
▪ The school district will put into operation activities and procedures for the involvement
of parents in all of its schools. Those programs, activities and procedures will be
planned and operated with meaningful consultation with parents.
▪ The school district shall incorporate activities and strategies that support this
districtwide family and community
engagement policy into its
Comprehensive Systemwide Planning Process (TCSPP).
▪ The TCSPP shall include procedures by which parents may learn about the course of
study for their children and have access to all learning materials.
▪ The TCSPP shall include strategies for parent participation in the district’s schools
which are designed to improve parent and teacher cooperation in such areas as
homework, attendance and discipline.
▪ If the school district’s TCSPP is not satisfactory to the parents, the school district shall
submit any parent comments with the plan when the school district submits the plan to
the State Department of Education.
▪ To the extent practicable, the school district and its schools shall provide full
opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents
with disabilities, and parents of migratory children, including providing information
and school reports in an understandable and uniform format and including alternative
formats upon request, and, to the extent practicable, in a language parents understand.
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▪ The school district shall appoint a Family and Community Advisory Council that will
annually assess, through consultation with parents, the effectiveness of the Family
and Community Engagement Program and determine what action needs to be taken,
if any, to increase parental and community participation. In order to accomplish this,
each advisory council shall be composed of representatives from parents of students
in elementary, middle and high schools, community business leaders, a member of the
school board, and representatives from the school district.
▪
Every school district shall ensure Title 1 schools are in
compliance with the No Child
Left Behind Act.
___________________
Legal Reference:
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POLICY TITLE
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REASONS FOR CHANGE
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Parent/Family
Involvement (4.502) |
No
Child Left Behind Act – Sec. 1118.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Sec. 1118 of No Child Left Behind requires the State Department of Education to review the local education agency’s parental involvement policies and practices to determine if the policies and practices meet the requirement of this section. The attached policy has bee approved by the State Department of Education. It is recommended that this new policy replace the current Parent/Family Involvement Policy 4.502 and the Parental Engagement Policy 4.5021. Legal References: Sec. 1118 (a) (1): IN GENERAL: A local educational agency may receive funds under this part only if such agency implements programs, activities, and procedures for the involvement of parents in programs assisted under this part consistent with this section. Such programs, activities, and procedures shall be planned and implemented with meaningful consultation with parents of participating children. (2) WRITTEN POLICY: Each local educational agency that receives funds under this part shall develop jointly with, agree on with and distribute to, parents of participating children a written parent involvement policy. The policy shall be incorporated into the local educational agency’s plan developed under Section 1112…. See, Sec. 1118 of the No Child Left Behind Act (available through the State Department of Education’s webpage) for the entire law. See, Tenn. Code Ann. Sec. 49-6-7001-7003; State Board of Education – |
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Monitoring: Descriptor Team:
Descriptor Code: Issued
Date: Review: Annually, Parental Engagement 4.5021 In November Rescinds: Issued Date: |
The principal of a school, working with the school staff, is responsible for enlisting the cooperation of the parents in helping to meet the educational needs of the students.1
The principal shall develop an annual plan for parental engagement which shall include, but not be limited to: opportunities for volunteering; parent education; home support for the child’s education; teacher-parent conferences; and parent participation in school decision-making.
This plan shall be submitted to the director of schools no later than the end of the first month of school.
Legal Reference:
20 TCA
49-6-7001-7003; State Board of Education
–
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|
Monitoring: Descriptor
Team:
Descriptor Code: Issued
Date: Review: Annually, Parent Organizations/ 4.503
In November Booster Clubs Rescinds: Issued Date: |
Booster clubs and parent organizations are encouraged to promote relationship between the school and the community. The primary purpose of these organizations is to assist and support the school in recognizing and promoting students’ activities. The principal is responsible for maintaining close communication with such organizations to ensure the organizations’ goals are in compliance with the board policies. After receiving the superintendent’s recommendation, the following criteria will be used in determining if an organization will be recognized (sanctioned) by the Board as a viable booster club or parent organization.
1. The organization must be managed or operated by adults, rather than students, and will present its by-laws and /or constitution to the Board. These will clearly identify the organization as a parent organization or booster club separate from school district student organizations and will provide details of the structure of the organization including:
· Officers and their duties
· Election of officers and term limits
· Purpose and goals
· Dues structure, if any
· Intended use of funds generated by the organization
2. The organization must include one representative from the school faculty as a sponsor.
3. No fund raising activities will be conducted within the school by the organization during school hours and students will not participate in fund raising during regular class periods.
4. The organization may not use school materials in advertising its activities. Use of school property by the organization for its activities will meet all regulations established by the Board.
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5. All funds raised by the organization will be used to achieve the stated purposes and goals of the organization. No administrative fees or stipends to officers or others will be permitted.
6. The organization must maintain bank, financial, and tax exempt status separate from the school. The organization will provide to the Board, annually or upon request, a complete set of financial records or detailed treasurer’s report.
7. Any plan, project or movement instituted to expand, modernize, renovate, or render maintenance to school-controlled and /or owned properties, or provide academic achievement awards and other educational recognition to students or student bodies will be presented to the Board in official session for its consideration, comment, evaluation, approval and sponsorship. This must be done before any public announcement is made.
8. In no manner will board sanctioning of an organization preclude the organization from compliance with state and federal laws as they pertain to equal opportunity and treatment of all students. Gifts or services provided to the school should benefit both boys’ and girls’ activities.1
9. The Board reserves the right to revoke the sanctioning of any organization if it is found that the organization’s operations and purpose are not consistent with the policies adopted by the Board.
Legal Reference: Cross References:
1. Title IX, Education Amendment of 1972, Gifts and Bequests 2.401
20 U.S.C. & 1681, et.seq.; 34 CFR 106.41 Student Activity Funds Management 2.900
Student Solicitations/Fund-Raising 6.701
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PLAN
Introduction
Parent involvement, as defined by the National PTA, is the participation of parents in every facet of the education and development of children from birth to adulthood, recognizing that parents are the primary influence in their children’s lives.
Engagement in learning on the part of students and families is the basis upon which this document has been crafted.
Effective school-family partnerships are critical to student learning and success in school. Research on family involvement has documented the following benefits for students:
§ Higher grades and test scores
§ Better attendance and homework completion
§ Fewer placements in special education
§ More positive attitudes and behavior
§ High graduation rates
§ Greater enrollment in post secondary education
The following benefits have been documented for families:
§ Improved understanding of their child’s development
§ Improved ability to parent
§ Improved ability to assist their children with school and learning
§ Improved relationships with all stakeholders.
To better understand how to engage students in school, we must accept the premise that family involvement practices are an integral part of school culture and we must understand their influence on individual students and their engagement in school.
Research on parent involvement over the past decade has shown that parent involvement increases student achievement and self-esteem. This same research has shown this to be true in large and small communities; from pre-school through high school; in poor and affluent areas; and in urban, rural, and suburban communities.
Through collaboration, the Humboldt City Schools’ administration, teachers, parents, and community leaders offer the following plan for parental involvement in our schools and to also be in compliance with local board policy, state law, and the Federal mandates of No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
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PARADIGM FOR SUCCESS
NCLB
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Student Success |
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Instructional Leadership |
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Tutorial Program |
Parental Involvement |
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Assessment 1) Teacher made tests 2) PASS Program |
Targeted Students |
Reinforced
Learning 1) Pearson
Learning 2) PLATO |
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Standards Based Curriculum |
Highly-Defined Lesson Plans |
Differentiated Instruction |
Guided Practice |
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Parent Involvement Plan
The Humboldt City Schools recognize that parental involvement is the key to academic achievement. The term “parent” refers to any caregiver/guardian who assumes responsibility for nurturing and caring for their children. When parents are involved in their children’s education, the attitudes, behaviors, and achievement are positively enhanced.
Parents and families provide the primary educational environment for children; consequently, parents are vital and necessary partners with the educational communities throughout their children’s school career. Although parents come to the schools with diverse cultural backgrounds, primary languages, and needs, all parents want what is best for their children.
In order to enhance parental involvement, six essential elements shall be promoted:
1. Communication: Effective communication requires school-initiated contact with the parent and parent-initiated contact with school where both parties provide vital information about a child’ strengths, challenges, and accomplishments. Appropriate steps shall be taken to allow clear communication between participants.
2. Parenting: School personnel shall support positive parenting by respecting and affirming the strengths and skills needed by parents to fulfill their role. Parents shall be linked to programs and resources within the community that provide needed support services.
3. Student Learning: Student achievement increases when parents are actively involved in the learning process. Schools shall therefore provide opportunities for parents to learn effective ways to support their child’s educational needs and about how they can support student behavior such are punctuality and regular attendance that are closely tied to student.
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4. Volunteers: Parents shall be welcome and invited to volunteer at all educational levels. Volunteer opportunities shall capitalize on the expertise, interest, and skills of the parents and have a direct connection to the district and school goals.
5. School Decision-Making: Schools shall actively enlist parent participation in decision-making. Efforts shall be made to recruit and support participation by parents representing diverse student groups such as: limited English proficient, special needs, gifted, and talented.
6. Collaboration: In order to enhance student learning, strengthen families and improve schools, parents, educators, and community/business leaders will work together to promote and effectively increase educational opportunities for children. When schools and communities form partnerships, both make gains.
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ACTION
PLAN
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Priority
Addressed: Communications |
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Goal: To increase the means of communication by
10% |
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Action Steps |
Timeline |
Person Responsible |
Required Resources |
Funding Source(s) |
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Develop a
two-way communication network among parents, community, and community agency |
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Pat
Taylor, Parent Coordinator for Humboldt City Schools |
$1,000.00 |
Title 1
and District Funds |
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Establish
a district-wide Parent Involvement Council |
|
Pat
Taylor, Parent Coordinator for Humboldt City Schools |
$250.00 |
Title 1
and District Funds |
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Create
and utilize a parent survey to reflect needs and perception of parents |
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Pat
Taylor, Parent Coordinator for Humboldt City Schools |
$100.00 |
Title 1
and District Funds |
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Create a
Parent-School Compact |
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$500.00 |
Title 1
and District Funds |
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Publish a
Quarterly Newsletter |
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Pat
Taylor, Parent Coordinator for Humboldt City Schools |
$500.00 |
Title 1
and District Funds |
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Publish
School Performance Report Card |
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Superintendent |
$0.00 |
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Keep |
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Wayne
Sheehan, Technology Coordinator, |
$0.00 |
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Establish
and maintain homework hotline |
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Principals |
$0.00 |
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ACTION PLAN |
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Priority
Addressed: Parenting |
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Goal: To increase resources and activities needed
for parental skills by 10%. |
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Action Steps |
Timeline |
Person Responsible |
Required Resources |
Funding Source(s) |
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Re-establish
the |
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Pat
Taylor, Parent Coordinator for |
$2,500.00 |
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Institute
Parents Assuring Student Success Program |
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Pay
Taylor, Parent Coordinator for |
$2,000.00 |
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Assign a
staff member at each school to liaison with the District Parent Involvement
Coordinator |
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Superintendent |
$0.00 |
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