Virginia Parent Resource Centers…

1. Virginia Parent Resource Centers… …Promoting a collaborative partnership between families, schools and communities to create positive educational outcomes for Virginia’s school children

2. 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

3. 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: • 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

4. Supported by Law. . . I Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: • Provides for parent involvement throughout the special education process • Requires training for parents in the special education process

5. VA PRC origins. . . 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. The VA Dept of Education added personnel to serve as Parent Specialists in working with PRCs across the Commonwealth.

6. VA State Improvement Plan . . . 2008 Results Part B Preschool 40% Part B K-12 31% 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.

7. Virginia Parent Resource Center Network Map of VA with locations marked http://www.vaprcs.org/

8. Virginia Parent Resource Centers… …provide services within the local school system to promote meaningful family involvement including: • Maintaining a lending library of resources • Offering training on such topics as parenting, disability awareness, IEP development and the special education process and special education regulations.

9. 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

10. Virginia 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 What do parents and professionals say with regard to Parent Resource Centers?

11. Survey ofVirginia Parent Resource Centers • Online survey emailed to all 50 PRCs in Fall 2009 • Data reported for school year 2007-2008 • Number of surveys completed: 37 • Return rate: 74%

12. 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%

13. Virginia Parent Resource Centers Serve Different Constituents... • Parents • Educators • Otherprofessionals • Members of the community Parents of Parents of

14. Virginia Parent Resource Centers Serve Parents of Children with...

15. Virginia Parent Resource Centers Serve Diverse Groups... • African American • Asian • Hispanic • White • Multiracial 64% 20% 5% 5% 5%

16. Virginia Parent Resource Centers Help Parents Directly... By providing training and workshops; information and resources; and telephone calls, emails, and in-person consultations. Information Consultation Training 10,770 32,576 15,594 Number of Parents Served

17. Virginia Parent Resource Centers Provide Training... Parents Others 8,343 1,645 In 2007-2008, over 750 training sessions, workshops, and presentations were conducted. Educators 2,820 Number of Participants

18. Virginia Parent Resource Centers Keep People Informed... Through newsletters delivered to: • Parents • Educators • Administrators • School Board members • Community agencies • Other service providers • Special Education Advisory Committee members 141,350 Number ofNewslettersDistributed 2007-2008

19. Virginia Parent Resource Centers Newsletters... Provide up-to-date information about: • Evidence-based practices • Current research • Advances in knowledge • Success stories • Local, state, and national news, events, and conferences

20. Virginia Parent Resource Centers Newsletters... Sent via mail, email, school distribution, & other means. s s

21. Virginia Parent Resource Centers Use Technology... Number of PRCs Reporting They Have: • Web site: 24 • Blog 2 • Own Web address 9 • Link on school division Web site 28

22. Virginia Parent Resource Centers Use Technology... Web Site 24 Number of PRCs Reporting They Have: Link on School Division Web Site Own Web Address Blog 28 9 2

23. Top Three Concerns Reported by Virginia Parent Resource Centers... • IEP process and content • Behavioral issues • Resources and support services

24. VA Parent Resource Centers . . . Do so much for families and schools to build collaborative connections to improve student outcomes!