A Parent's Guide to School Involvement

1. A Parent's Guide to School Involvement presented by Marlon Cousin Title I Coordinator

2. Thirty years of research clearly suggests that parent and community involvement in schools improves student achievement. To reach their potential, students need parents and the community to take an active role in their education. Why do schools need parent and community support?

3. What can I do at school? • As a parent, or an adult who plays an important role in the life of a child, your involvement in your child's education at school and at home shows your child that you value education. • Teachers can see that you care about your children's learning. You can provide teachers with the most reliable source of information about your child. The partnership between you and your child's teacher is powerful.

4. Ways you can be involved in your child's education each year at school

5. Meet the teacher • Tell her about your child's interests and hobbies. • Let her know how and when it is best to reach you. • Ask her how you can support your child’s education at home

6. Make a date with the teacher to visit your child's classroom • Are the kids busy learning, exploring and asking questions? • Does the teacher draw them in?

7. Attend Parent – Teacher Conferences • All schools in the EBRP School System set aside specific dates and times for parent-teacher conferences. • Ask how your child is doing and review his or her work.

8. Go to school events, like back-to-school night. As a group, see how you can help the school reach its goals. Establish/Join the PTA or other Parent Group

9. Ask about opportunities to participate in the development of school policies. Stay up-to-date on School Policies, Schedules and Rules Examples: School Improvement Plans Parental Involvement Policies Extended Day Activities Tutoring Services

10. Benchmarks & Standards Make sure that your child is learning what he/she needs to know to meet the standards set for her grade level. www.louisianaschools.net

11. Find a teacher or counselor you feel comfortable talking to about your child • Talk about the courses he /she should take to reach their goals. • Do they match what the standards say he/she should be learning? • Will they prepare him/her for college and a career?

12. Check your school's Web site regularly www.ebrschools.org

13. How can my community be involved in my child's school?

14. Establish School-Business Partnerships • Schools and business can work together to prepare students for further education and for life as productive members of their communities.

15. It does not hurt to ask… • Inquire whether or not your employer will grant parents leaveto attend school meetings, conferences, or to volunteer in the school.

16. Mentoring • Establish and operate a mentoring program for "at risk" students through the involvement of volunteers from community, civic and religious organizations, local businesses, or the Chamber of Commerce.

17. View the School as a Hub for Community Events • Recommend that schools in your community remain open during the eveningand on weekends to allow parents and neighbors to use the library, playground, computers and other equipment. • Let local groups hold their meetings and special events at the school.

18. Parental Involvement Resources • Baton Rouge Parent University @ YWCA Center for Family Empowerment 225.338.0028 • Louisiana State Parent Information & Resource Centers (P.I.R.C.) Louisiana Promise 520 Olive Street Shreveport, LA 71104 phone: 318.429.6959 fax: 318.429.6969 www.lpirc.org

19. Parental Involvement Resources • No Child Left Behind website: http://www.ed.gov/ • Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL): http://www.sedl.rog/ • National Parent Information Network: http://www.npin.org/ • Alliance for Excellent Education: http://www.all4ed.org/ • National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education: http://www.ncpie.org/ • National Network of Partnership Schools: http://www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/nochild.htm