Presentation Transcript

1. Title I, Part A Parental Involvement
2. Title I, Part A Parental Involvement In today’s session the following will be addressed: History and NCLB definition District and Title I school responsibilities Shared and optional responsibilities in building capacity for involvement Six types of involvement Parental notice requirements Funding and principles Allowable and non allowable expenditures Monitoring Resources Questions/answers and contact
3. History of Title I, Part A Parental Involvement In the 1970s parental involvement referred primarily to policy involvement. Parents of Title I children receiving Title I services had a role in designing and overseeing Title I programs to respond to the needs of disadvantaged children rather than the general school population. In the 1980s-90s, Congress placed greater emphasis on having schools help parents to help their children in the educational process such as homework monitoring, enhanced communication between teachers and parents, home visits, and school-parent compacts. The 2001 law emphasized a new role for parents: consumers of education provided by local schools with new parent reporting requirements, so parents are more informed, with consumer options such as supplemental services and school choice.
4. Parental Involvement Under No Child Left Behind The statute defines Title I, Part A parental involvement as the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, ensuring that— • Parents play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning; • Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school; • Parents are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child; and • Other activities are carried out, such as those described in ESEA Section 1118 (Parental Involvement).
5. ESEA Section 1118- District Parental Involvement Responsibilities In acceptance of Title I, Part A funding: Written parental involvement policy shall be developed jointly with, agreed upon with, and distributed to parents of participating children. The policy will be incorporated into the LEA plan and establish the agency’s expectation for parent involvement. District policy must contain ESEA Section 1118 (2) Written Policy A-F. The policy describes how the LEA will involve parents in the: joint development of the district plan (ESEA Section 1112) process of school review and improvement (ESEA Section 1116) Annually evaluate the parental involvement policy for content and effectiveness by parents and educational stakeholders. Identify the barriers to participation- parents who are economically disadvantaged, disabled, LEP, limited literacy, minority background. Use the evaluation findings to design more effective parental involvement strategies and to revise the PI policies.
6. ESEA Section 1118- District Parental Involvement Responsibilities LEA will provide coordination, technical assistance, and other support necessary to assist schools in planning and implementing effective parent involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance. Build the schools’ and parents’ capacity for strong parental involvement (training, timely information, two way communication, understandable language, translation) Coordinate and integrate parent involvement with other programs such as Head Start, Even Start, Parents as Teachers, Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters Involve parents in the activities of the schools
7. ESEA Section 1118- Each Title I School Shall (Must): Policy Involvement Subsections (b) and (c) 1. Jointly develop and update periodically with parents a school parental involvement policy which is made available to parents 2. Convene an annual meeting to explain the Title I Programs 3. Offer flexible number of meetings– morning or afternoon 4. Involve parents in in an organized, ongoing, and timely way in planning, review, and improvement of Title I, Part A programs including the school parental involvement policy and the joint development of the schoolwide program plan (school improvement plan) section 1114(b)(2) 5. Provide parents timely information about Title I school programs 6. Provide parents a description and explanation about: •school’s curriculum; •forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress; and •proficiency levels students are expected to meet 7. Upon the request of parents, schools provide opportunities for regular meeting 8. If the schoolwide program plan is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, submit any parent comments on the plan when the school makes the plan available to the local educational agency.
8. The School-Parent CompactESEA Section 1118- Each Title I School Shall (Must): Policy Involvement Subsection (d) SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HIGH STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT- Describes the school’s responsibility to provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables children served under Title I, Part A to meet the State’s student academic achievement standards; Describes ways in which parents will be responsible for supporting their children’s learning, for example: monitoring attendance, homework completion, television watching, volunteering in their child’s classroom, participating as appropriate in decisions relating to the education of their children, and positive use of extracurricular time; and The importance of communication between teachers and parents on an ongoing basis through, at a minimum— • Parent-teacher conferences in elementary schools, at least annually, during which the compact will be discussed as it relates to the individual child’s achievement; • Frequent reports to parents on their child’s progress; and • Reasonable access to staff, opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child’s class, and observation of classroom activities.
9. ESEA Section 1118- Each Title I School and District Shall (e) Build Capacity For Involvement- To ensure effective involvement of parents and to support a partnership among the school involved, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement, each school and local educational agency assisted under this part — (1) shall provide assistance to parents of children served by the school or local educational agency, as appropriate, in understanding such topics as the State's academic content standards and State student academic achievement standards, State and local academic assessments, the requirements of this part, and how to monitor a child's progress and work with educators to improve the achievement of their children; (2) shall provide materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children's achievement, such as literacy training and using technology, as appropriate, to foster parental involvement;
10. ESEA Section 1118- Each Title I School and District Shall (3) shall educate teachers, pupil services personnel, principals, and other staff, with the assistance of parents, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between parents and the school; (4) shall, to the extent feasible and appropriate, coordinate and integrate parent involvement programs and activities with Head Start, Reading First, Early Reading First, Even Start, the Home Instruction Programs for Preschool Youngsters, the Parents as Teachers Program, and public preschool and other programs, and conduct other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children; (5) shall ensure that information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is sent to the parents of participating children in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand; (14) shall provide such other reasonable support for parental involvement activities under this section as parents may request.
11. ESEA Section 1118(e) Building Capacity For Parental Involvement Optional- Each Title I School and District May Funding and carrying out “may” is optional in the law. (6) may involve parents in the development of training for teachers, principals, and other educators to improve the effectiveness of such training; (7) may provide necessary literacy training from funds received under this part if the local educational agency has exhausted all other reasonably available sources of funding for such training; (8) may pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with local parental involvement activities, including transportation and child care costs, to enable parents to participate in school-related meetings and training sessions; (9) may train parents to enhance the involvement of other parents; (10) may arrange school meetings at a variety of times, or conduct in-home conferences between teachers or other educators, who work directly with participating children, with parents who are unable to attend such conferences at school, in order to maximize parental involvement and participation; (11) may adopt and implement model approaches to improving parental involvement; (12) may establish a districtwide parent advisory council to provide advice on all matters related to parental involvement in programs supported under this section; (13) may develop appropriate roles for community-based organizations and businesses in parent involvement activities.
12. Six Types Of Involvement Dr. Joyce L. Epstein, Founder and Director National Network of Partnership Schools at John Hopkins University The six types of family involvement: Parenting Communicating Volunteering Learning at home Decision making Collaborating with the community http://www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/nnps_model/school/sixtypes.htm
13. Parenting Strategies Sample Practices Workshops, videotapes, computerized phone messages on parenting and child development at each age and grade level Parent education and other courses or training for parents (e.g., GED, family literacy, college or training programs) Family support programs to assist families with health, nutrition, and parenting, including clothing swap shops, food co-ops, parent-to-parent groups Home visiting programs or neighborhood meetings to help families understand schools and to help schools understand families Annual survey for families to share information about their children's goals, strengths, and special talents
14. Communication Strategies Sample Practices Conferences with every parent at least once a year with follow-ups as needed Language translators to assist families as needed Student work sent home weekly or monthly for parent review and comments Parent and student pickup of report cards Regular schedule of useful notices, memos, phone calls, other communications Effective newsletters including information about questions, reactions, and suggestions Clear information about choosing schools, and selecting courses, programs, and activities within schools Clear information on all school policies, programs, reforms, assessments, and transitions Annual survey of families on students' needs and families' suggestions and reactions to school programs
15. Volunteering Strategies Parents and Community Members Assist schools and students as aides, tutors, coaches, lecturers, chaperones, and other leaders Attend assemblies, performances, sports events, recognition and award ceremonies, celebrations, and other events Sample Practices Annual survey to identify interests, talents, and availability of volunteers Parent room or family center for volunteer work, meetings, and resources for families Class parent, telephone tree, or other structures to provide all families with needed information Parent patrols to increase school safety Annual review of schedules for students' performances, games, and assemblies to encourage all families to attend
16. Learning At Home Strategies Provide Information How to help at home with homework Curriculum-related decisions Sample Practices Information for families on required skills in all subjects at each grade Information on homework policies and how to monitor/discuss schoolwork at home Information on how to assist students with skills that they need to improve Regular schedule of interactive homework that requires students to demonstrate and discuss what they are learning in class Calendars with daily or weekly activities for parents and students to do at home or in the community Summer learning packets or activities Family participation in helping students set academic goals each year and plan for college or work
17. Decision Making Strategies Participation and Leadership PTA/PTO membership, participation, leadership, Advisory councils, school improvement teams Title I councils, school-site management teams, other committees Independent school advisory groups Sample Practices Active PTA/PTO or other parent organizations, advisory councils, or committees (e.g., curriculum, safety, personnel) for parent leadership and participation Action Team for School, Family, and Community Partnerships to oversee the development of the school's program with practices for all six types of involvement District-level advisory councils and committees Information on school or local elections for school representatives Networks to link all families with parent representatives Independent advocacy groups to lobby for school reform and improvements
18. Collaborating With The Community Strategies The community contributes to the schools, students, and families as business partners, agencies, cultural groups, health services, recreation, and other groups and programs. The schools, students and families contribute to the community with service learning and special projects to share talents and solve local problems. Sample Practices Information for students and families on community health, cultural, recreational, social support, and other programs or services Information on community activities that link to learning skills and talents, and student summer programs "One-stop" shopping for family services through partnerships of school, counseling, health, recreation, job training, and other agencies Service to the community by students, families, and schools -recycling projects, art, music, drama; activities for senior citizens, tutoring or coaching programs Participation of alumni in school programs for students School-business partnerships
19. Parents As Informed Consumers-Title I, Part A Parental Notice Requirements The law requires many different kinds of information and notices. Some notifications have specific guidelines about distribution. Notifications are distributed: District and school websites Letters home Local newspapers School newsletters Title I brochures District and school meetings Student handbooks Media
20. Parents As Informed Consumers-Title I, Part A Parental Notice Requirements Annual district and school report card Individual student assessment reports Schools identified for school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring Written district and school level parental involvement policies Written complaint procedures Parents’ right to know – teacher and paraprofessional qualifications Parents’ right to know –Student report card Parents’ right to know - non-highly qualified teachers
21. Title I, Part A Parental Notice Requirements School meeting about Title I, Part A programs and requirements Meetings to inform parents of limited English proficient children Notice to parents of limited English proficient students identified for participation in a language instruction educational program Military recruiter access to student Homeless children services Student privacy Waiver Request
22. Title I, Part A Funding Facts Tennessee generated approximately $260 million in Title I, Part A funding in 2012-13 to be used for improving the academic achievement of the disadvantaged including neglected children, homeless children, migrant children, and parental involvement. The school district poverty rate is determined by the U.S. Census. To generate funding the number of economically disadvantaged children ages 5-17, foster children, neglected children, and families receiving TANF, Medicaid, or free and reduced school lunch program are counted. Title I funds are divided to schools based on poverty. A school district annually ranks all of its public schools in order of poverty from the highest to lowest percentage of children from low-income families. The LEA must distribute Title I funding to schools with poverty exceeds 75 percent. Any remaining funding is then distributed to schools in rank order. Title I is supplemental funding used to add to existing, regular services. It must be tracked to an allowable purpose. Funds are used to support the district strategic plan and school improvement plan. It can pay for salaries, learning materials and supplies, and professional development. Funds are not used to supplant. Title I funds do not pay for items that are paid with other local, state, or federal funds. Title I can’t pay for an expenditure if it was paid for by state, local, or other federal funds the previous year. Expenditures are expected to be reasonable and necessary as well as allowable.
23. Parental Involvement Funding By federal law, school districts receiving $500,000 or more in Title I, Part A set aside 1% for parental involvement. The 95% of 1% is distributed to the Title I schools. Parents in district and school committees/ meetings determine how Title I, Part parental involvement funding is spent. LEAs receiving less than $500,000 in Title I Part A funds are required to carry out the provisions of ESEA Section 1118, but the LEAs are not required to set aside funding. The LEAs may opt to set aside a certain percentage at their own discretion. Parental involvement funding is used for parent information and training, required parental notification, and activities outlined in ESEA Section 1118 Parental Involvement.
24. Parental Involvement Activities And Allowable Expenditures (Partial List) Meetingsto discuss school and parental involvement program, and engage parents in planning, development, and evaluation of the Title I Programs Parent training and materials on topics such as the state performance standards, school curriculum, student academic assessments, family literacy, math night, teacher-parent conferences, parenting skills building Allowable costs: meeting advertisement, invitations, flyers, newsletters, training materials, paper, pens, drinks, light refreshments Translationof information for parental outreach for parental involvement into language spoken by a significant percentage of parents of Title I participating children. Districts that have Title III use it for English Language learners. Communication: internet, telephone, newsletters; postage, and printing to reach parents for training, announcements, and parental notice requirements: report cards, progress review, schools identified for school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring; supplemental services notice, written parental involvement policies, written SEA complaint procedures, parents’ right to know-teacher and paraprofessional qualifications; limited English proficient students-general and language instruction educational programs
25. Allowable Parental Involvement Expenditures (Partial List) Contracts with community based organizations to provide parent involvement services Distribution of home based educational activities Payroll costs related to work on parental involvement activities Equipment and supplies for a parent resource room Title I funds can supplement pre-k programs that operate in the LEA to purchase consumables such as paper, glue, scissors, etc. for make and take projects that promote early learning, and books for a loan program or check out system. Reasonable and necessary refreshments or even a light meal is an allowable expense if the training is long and part of the parent training or the parent advisory committee is meeting during meal time. As a guideline drinks are allowable for meetings and trainings that are an hour or more in length.
26. Non-Allowable Title I Expenditures per EDGAR (Incomplete List)by Brustein and Manasevit, Attorneys at Law Be cautious about personal items, gifts, and door prizes   Promotional items, memorabilia, and public relations Non-parental involvement activities such as student recruitment, books for students General purpose equipment Entertainment costs such as live music, liquor Purchase, rental, maintenance, and repair of buildings or vehicles Paying for employee positions such as a janitor, therapist, or nurse (supplanting) Audit costs
27. Resources Family and Community Engagement website, Tennessee Department of Education http://www.tn.gov/education/fedprog/fpparentinvolve.shtml Main page- Tennessee Best Practices and Strategies in Parental Involvement Four links: Parents, Educators, Parents and Educators, Community Under Link for Educators: * Section 1118 Parental Involvement Regulations * Parental Involvement: Title I, Part A Non Regulatory Guidance * Toolkit for Title I Parental Involvement * Sample School Parental Involvement Plan (containing action steps and calendar) * TSBA templates for federal and state- parental involvement policy
28. Questions? Liz Roper Tennessee Department of Education Family and Community Engagement Consultant 615-253-0047 Elizabeth.Roper@tn.gov