Parent Involvement Policy |
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BUCHANAN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Title I Parental Involvement Policy (Updated May 2008 at Joint Annual Inservice) Statement of Purpose The definition of Parental Involvement as stated in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is “engaged participation of parents of Title I students in a consistent, organized and meaningful way in the consultation, planning, implementing and evaluating of programs and activities to increase student achievement.” Buchanan County Public Schools are committed to the goal of providing a quality education for every child in the district. To this end, we want to establish partnerships with parents and with the community. Everyone gains if school and home work together to promote high achievement by our children. Neither home nor school can do the job alone. Parents play an extremely important role as children’s first teachers. Their support for their children and for the school is critical to their children’s success at every step along the way. The Board of Education has taken an important step to raise the expectations for all students in Parent’s Right to Know According to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, parents have the right to request information on the qualifications of their child’s teacher and instructional aide. Information may include:
Parent Advisory Councils Each Title I school, whether a
The purpose of the council shall be to effect meaningful parent, teacher, student and community participation in the planning, implementation and evaluation of all Title I programs in Buchanan County Public Schools.
The District Advisory Council shall meet (2) times each fiscal year. These meetings shall be for orientation; review, discussion of evaluation and approval of final evaluation; presentation of project proposal to council with discussion and input from council; discussion of project implementation and approval of final project application. Annual Meeting for Title I Parents
An annual meeting shall be conducted for all parents of eligible children and concerned citizens. This meeting will be advertised through the local newspapers, the local radio stations, the Parental Involvement in Developing Written Policy
The District Advisory Council will meet to develop our district-wide Title I Parental Involvement Policy. The School Advisory Council may accept the same policy or choose to develop their own. School/Parent/Student Compact
According to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, each school must share the responsibility with parents for improved student academic performance by developing a School/Parent/Student Compact jointly with parents of children participating in the program. Parents on each school’s Advisory Council will be involved in designing these compacts. The School/Parent/Student Compact will describe:
Parents will receive the compact from their child’s school. The compact will be a list of responsibilities that teachers, parents and students will each have for helping increase student achievement. Parents will be urged to discuss the compact with their children before signing it and having their children sign it. Title I Staff-Parent Communication Communication with parents will include a Title I newsletter, “Parents Make a Difference,” distributed each month during the school term. Quarterly, a “Parent/Child Activity Calendar will be disseminated countywide. There will also be notices sent home with children, phone calls, and conferences as needed. Title I also prepares and distributes to parents monthly a Title I calendar marking meeting and workshop dates. Title I will utilize a website for the Title I teachers shall hold an open house in the Title I labs at least once a year. Parents will be invited through written invitation. During this open house parents will have an opportunity to review, discuss and sign their child’s Personalized Educational Plan (Targeted Assistance Schools), School/Parent/Student Compact (Targeted Assistance Schools & Schoolwide Schools), and Student Improvement Plan (if applicable). The Parent Resource Center will also host an open house at least once a year for parents to visit and become aware of the valuable resources available for their use at home with their child. In Targeted Assistance Schools, progress reports are sent home the second, fourth and last six week periods. Teachers write positive and constructive comments to parents as well as indicating if they would like a conference with parents. There is also a place for parents to mark if they would like to request a conference. Title I teachers and staff invite Parent Advisory Council members to join them at a joint in-service meeting each year. The program for this meeting is planned so it will address parents and teachers. The Title I program will operate a The Matching Programs to the Needs of Parents/Students through Evaluation Each year, Title I will assess the needs of parents and students through a survey sent home to parents. This will allow the Title I program to be tailored to meet those needs. Workshops and other programs will be available to match the expressed needs. Parents will be notified of opportunities through the individual schools. Parents may call the Central Office (276.935.8135) or the Title I Parental Involvement Opportunities Title I provides the following opportunities for parents to become involved in their child’s education.
Parents can visit Title I labs, meet the teachers and staff. Parents can talk about their child and discuss their child’s personalized educational plan, complete the school/parent/student compact, and where applicable discuss the child’s student improvement plan. The
Title I staff and teachers communicate with parents in these ways. Parents may also initiate communications through these means.
These reports are sent home the second, fourth and last six week periods. Teachers write positive and constructive comments to parents, as well as indicating if they would like a conference with the parents. There is also a place for parents to mark if they would like to request a conference.
Title I establishes a five member School PAC at each school. One of these five members agrees to serve on the District PAC. PAC members are invited to attend PAC meetings and workshops. Members are asked to help plan, implement and evaluate the Title I Program.
Newsletters filled with lots of helpful information and suggestions are sent home each month. Newsletters are also available on the
Parents receive a calendar of Title I events scheduled each month. Parents can also access upcoming events on the PRC website.
Monthly meetings and/or workshops are presented throughout the year to give parents suggestions on how to help their children with academics. These meetings/workshops are held on varied days and at varied times to better accommodate parents.
Parents are invited to this meeting at the beginning of each school year. The Title I Director and staff are present to talk with parents about the program and to listen to concerns or comments parents may have.
The Title I teachers and staff invite PAC members to join them at a joint in-service meeting each year. The program for this meeting is planned so it will address parents and teachers. Title I provides lunch for the parents during this meeting.
Parents are given an opportunity for input by completing an annual survey each school term.
A sixteen week program for preschoolers—a different bag of books is sent home with preschoolers each week during the program. The program’s purpose is to underline the importance of reading to children, therefore encouraging parents to set aside time to read with their children on a regular basis. Located at the
Classrooms throughout the county are encouraged to bring their students to visit the PRC. Parents are encouraged to visit with their child’s class. |