Albuquerque Public Schools Title I Parent Involvement - A Case Study 2003-04

1. Albuquerque Public SchoolsTitle I Parent Involvement -A Case Study 2003-04 A Presentation by Ranjana Damle Ph.D. Research, Development, and Accountability Albuquerque Public School damle@aps.edu

2. Purpose of the Evaluation • No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requires the school districts and schools receiving Title I funds to plan and execute a parent involvement policy. • Under NCLB, districts are required to conduct, with the involvement of parents, an annual evaluation of the parent involvement policy.

3. This evaluation focuses on three main research questions: • What are the school leadership’s vision and goals about successful parent involvement? • What are the components of the school’s parent involvement program? What strategies does the school use to involve parents in the school? • What are the barriers to parent involvement from the point of view of the parents as well as the school staff and administrators?

4. The broad aim of the evaluation study is to identify: • Successful strategies for parent involvement • Barriers to parent involvement

5. Data Collection • Principal Interviews • Parent Coordinator Interviews • Parent Focus Groups • Data from Parent Meetings and Other Activities Involving Parents

6. Snapshots of Successful Parent Involvement • Parents are not only welcome in the school, but they are invited and embraced. • An observer sees parents everywhere - in classrooms, hallways, office, playground, and cafeteria.

7. Snapshots of Successful Parent InvolvementOffice and Library • Parents have full access to the principal and to other school staff. • The library conducts many activities that involve students and parents.

8. Snapshots of Successful Parent InvolvementClassroom • Parents volunteer in the classroom with math or reading groups. • Parents frequently talk to the teacher about homework. • Parents get updates about their child’s progress.

9. Snapshots of Successful Parent InvolvementLarge Meetings • Parents attend curriculum nights or grade –level meetings. • Parents attend parent involvement meetings. • Parents attend parent organization meetings.

10. Snapshots of Successful Parent InvolvementParent Volunteering • Parents are in the classrooms helping the teacher. • Parents help • raise money for the parent organization selling popcorn, etc. • in the office • with field trips, book fairs, fiestas, and classroom parties • In the parent room

11. Snapshots of Successful Parent InvolvementParents Serve on Committees • Parents take part in school planning committees. • Parents serve on standards and curriculum committees. • Parents do outreach to the community.

12. Snapshots of Successful Parent InvolvementThe Parent Organization is Active • Monthly parent meetings • Parents are involved in choosing topics • Meetings are conducted in Spanish and English • Principals inform parents about important school news, issues, and activities at the meetings • Parent coordinator works closely with the parent organization

13. Snapshots of Successful Parent InvolvementSchool-Based Services • Parent Room serves as a/an- - Classroom for parent classes - Assembly and discussion room - Library from which parents may check out books - Distribution center for food backpacks or free uniforms • Childcare - Safe, on-campus childcare frees parents to participate in the school

14. Snapshots of Successful Parent InvolvementWell-Informed parents The school offers helpful workshops: - How children learn - Nutrition - Health issues (e.g. puberty)

15. Snapshots of Successful Parent InvolvementOpportunities for Self-Learning • Educational and job-related workshops and classes • Computer classes • ESL classes • GED classes • Job applications

16. Snapshots of Successful Parent InvolvementParents Learn about Resources How and where to access: • Healthcare • Charities • Free educational services

17. A Model of Parent InvolvementA Pyramid with Five Layers • Getting the student to school on time, ready to learn; supporting homework • Involvement in curriculum and education; attending meetings • Volunteering • Self-education • Leadership role at the school

18. A Model of Parent InvolvementA Pyramid with Five Layers

19. The Parent Involvement Pyramid • This model is comprehensive • It lays out levels of parent involvement - from simple to more complex and time-consuming • The model can be used to plan the school’s parent involvement program

20. Barriers to Parent Involvement • Work • Language • A lack of interest in participating in schools • …”The biggest barrier is that… I think the parents that we don’t see here are parents who have enormous challenges in their own personal lives. They never had a positive experience in a school setting themselves…”

21. Other Barriers • Health issues, or chronic illnesses such as diabetes in the family • Young children at home • Social issues such as drugs, alcohol, or family violence • Economic hardship or poverty

22. Where Are the Parents? • Parental divorce, other family crises • Single parenting • A lack of education in the family • Transportation • Scheduling conflicts

23. Strategies to Involve Parents • Use many ‘hooks’ – offer many opportunities for involvement • Frequently communicate with them • Empower the parents to become advocates for their children’s education • Include them in decision- making

24. Invite them to Activities • Open houses and content area meetings • The parent organization meetings • Serving on school governance and curriculum committees

25. More Opportunities • Field trips and performances • Parent child educational activities • Celebrations, fairs, and parties

26. Strategies • Parent educational opportunities

27. Empowering Parents to Become Advocates • Welcoming school staff • Involving parents in choosing the meeting topics • Childcare • Family support services

28. More Strategies • Newsletters, bilingual communication • Fixed meeting schedule • Saturday and evening meetings • Meetings in Spanish language • Offering meeting topics parents are interested in

29. What Works • Workshops that educate, support families, in English and Spanish • Attractive invitations make parents feel special • Meeting reminders • Events that include food • Transportation • Combining parent meetings with student performances – dance, poetry reading

30. Concluding Remarks • Give a clear message to parents that the school encourages their participation. • Provide welcoming atmosphere • Staff should be accessible • Parent involvement is not just attending meeting but involvement in the classroom. • Parental involvement is productive when parents work with the teacher and support the student’s education at home.

31. Recommendations • Set clear goals for parental engagement. The Parent Involvement Pyramid may be a useful tool to conceptualize the parent involvement program. • Provide professional development to the school staff in parent involvement. • Provide services that support families. • Using different strategies, offer many opportunities for parents to get involved in the school.