Partnering with African American Families to Close the Achievement Gap

1. Micki Poole Clowney, Director, Office of Trio Programs, Moreno Valley College Patty Rucker, Coordinator of Student Services, Moreno Valley USD Lisa C. Broomfield, Director of Categorical Programs & GATE, Moreno Valley USD Partnering with African American Families to Close the Achievement Gap

2. Presenters…our stories Patty Rucker

3. Session Overview This session is designed for parent, teacher, or administrative stakeholders who are starting or looking for strategies to increase African-American Parent Engagement at their respective school sites or districts. This session will share data, resources, and best practices of why and how AAPACs can be effective in strengthening parent advocacy, involvement and communication in being a critical component to fostering student efficacy and success.

4. District Mission Moreno Valley Unified School District's mission is to ensure all students graduate high school prepared to successfully enter into higher education and/or pursue a viable career path.

5. Why Are We Here?

6. African-American Student Achievement……. Let’s talk about…

7. Celebrations

8. Opportunity and achievement gaps

9. Our Report Card

10. Graduation Rate Comparison

11. Drop-out Rates Comparison

12. It Takes a Village

13. District African – American Advisory Council (AAAC) • Brings key stakeholders together (Administrators, Educators, Community, Families, Students) • Collaborative programming (Family Conference, College Fair, Targeted African-American Student Success Initiatives) • Culturally relevant information • Exchanging ideas and strategic planning • Professional Development • Reviewing Data

14. How we got started … A message from Dr. Judy D. White, Superintendent of Moreno Valley Unified School District https://youtu.be/0cLYHgvF3m8

15. African – American Advisory Council (AAAC) The purpose of the AAAC is to involve and engage parents, families, students, educators, and community members in the decision making process at the local, district and regional level to improve the quality of education for African-American students by raising the level of awareness in our community about cultural learning differences and promoting an understanding among parents, educators, and others about culturally sensitive issues relating to the education of African-American students.

16. African – American Parent Advisory Councils (AAPACs) • Safe place for parents/guardians to ask questions, receive, and give information • Culturally relevant information • Allows parents to network with each other, educators, and community partners • Empowers them with information for more effective parent advocacy • Allows families to have input in the school process • ALL LEVELS (Elementary, Middle School, High School)

17. Things to Keep in Mind • Be mindful of cultural and language issues • Know your parents and families • Create a parent/family friendly environment • Utilize a variety of methods • Use what you know – what is working? • Understand students’ learning styles • Provide examples, tools, and resources for homework assistance • Be open • Conversation v. Presentation • Get students involved • Solicit input and feedback from ALL • Don’t assume

18. How to start an AAPAC • Key staff on board • Establish contact person (make sure the person is passionate) • Coordinate meeting • Get the word out (use several modes, not just Parent link) • Host meeting (develop a list of all African American student’s parent list) • Assess needs • Follow-up

19. Possible Barriers African – American parents sometimes feel… • Unwelcome or uncomfortable in their children's schools • Overwhelmed by expectations and standards • Ill equipped to effectively assist student with homework and projects • Time constraints • Misconceptions, stereotypical and deficit beliefs about African American parents

20. Do you have a heart for AAPAC? All we doing all we can do to close the achievement gap? Do you believe all students deserve a quality education? Do you think all parents want what’s best for their child(ren)?

21. What are we doing to engage our African American families? • Monthly AAAC and AAPAC meetings • Historical Black College Fair • Annual HOPE Conference for African American Families • African American Parent Nights • African American Baccalaureate Service for African American graduates • Black Student Union Events • African American AVID classes • Diverse staff • Hired Behavior Intervention Staff • Hired Social Workers • All male African American AVID classes • Footsteps to Freedom Educator’s Tour

22. What are we doing to engage our African American families? • Student Leadership Conference at USC • Long Beach Indie College and Career Fair • Council of African American Parents (CAAP) workshop series for parents • National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) Conference • California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrator (CAAASA) conference • Museum of Tolerance • Junior Black Achiever • Targeted funds in LCAP to support parent engagement • Community Based Partnerships • Faith Based Partnerships

23. Historical Black College Fair

24. HOPE Conference

25. AAPAC of the Month

29. Thank you.

32. Questions/Comments

33. Contact Information Micki Poole Clowney (951) 571-6382 (951) 233-3719 micki.clowney@mvc.edu Patty Rucker 951-571-7500 ext prucker@mvusd.net Lisa Broomfield (951) 571-7527 lbroomfield@mvusd.net