Weakley County Schools

Improvement Plan

WHAT RESEARCH SAYS ABOUT PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Parent Involvement (as defined by the National PTA) is the participation of
parents in every facet of the education and development of children from birth to
adulthood, recognizing that parents are the primary influence in their children's
lives. Parent involvement takes many forms, including parents' shared
responsibilities in decisions about their children's education, health and wellbeing,
as well as parent's participation in organizations that reflect the
community's collaborative aspirations for all children.
Parents help their children have success in school by daily…encouraging,
listening, monitoring, praising, reacting and discussing, not necessarily "teaching"
school subjects.
Involvement should not be limited to volunteering or attending school-sponsored
events. The broad view of involvement affirms the parent's role as the child's
primary teacher and the home as the child's first classroom (Barbour, 1966).
Involving every family in a child's education is an important piece of improving
that child's learning, according to research by Joyce Epstein, director of the
Center for School, Family, and Community Partnerships at John Hopkins
University in Baltimore.
The framework of parental involvement includes the following:
Parenting—help all families establish home environments to support children
as students;
Communicating—design effective forms of school-to-home and home-toschool
communications about school programs and children's progress;
Volunteering—recruit and organize parent help and support;
Learning at home—provide information and ideas to help students at home
with homework and other curriculum-related activities, decisions, and planning;
Decision making—include parents in school decisions, developing parent
leaders and representatives;
Collaborating with community—identify and integrate resources and services
from the community to strengthen school programs, family practices, and
student learning and development.
What families do to help their children learn is even more important to their
academic success than how well-off the family is (Walberg, 1994).
When families are involved in their children's education in positive ways, children
achieve higher grades and test scores, have better attendance at school,
complete more homework, demonstrate more positive attitudes and behavior,
graduate at higher rates, and have greater enrollment in higher education
(Becher 1984, Ballen and Moles 1966).
Every research study on parent involvement conducted in the past 20 years has
shown the same result: parent involvement increases student achievement and
self-esteem. Research has shown this to be true in large and small communities;
from preschool through high school; in poor and affluent areas; and in urban,
rural and suburban communities.
CONCERNS AT THE UPPER GRADES:
Research shows that there is an inadequate level of Parent Involvement,
especially in the upper grades (Binns, Steinburg, and Amorosi 1998).
In the upper grades, teachers report that (1) there is a greater number of
uninvolved parents and (2) a lack of parental support especially in doing
schoolwork at home.
In the middle grades, teachers report that (1) parents do not devote enough time
to their children's education; (2) parents attend only one or two meetings at
school after the school year begins; (3) parents do not visit their children's
classes; (4) parents do not contact their child's school about their academic
progress; and (5) parents do not talk to school officials about academic programs
at the different grade levels.
BARRIERS: (What keeps parents from participating in their child's education?)
Many parents, especially those employed outside the home, do not have
enough time.
Many parents feel ill-informed about how and why academic decisions are
made about their children.
Some parents feel that educators do not care about their opinions or concerns.
Teachers do not have enough time to maintain communication with parents
and involve them in school activities.
Teachers receive little training in how to effectively involve parents (American
Association for the Advancement of Science 1996; National Center for
Education Statistics 1998).
In some schools that have high proportions of poor or minority students, a
barrier may be lack of parent education to help with schoolwork.
Cultural/socio-economic and language differences between parents and staff.
Parent and staff attitudes.
Perceived lack of safety in the school area after school hours.
PRINCIPLES FOR BUILDING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR PARENT
INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMS:
The school must operate from principles that respect the unique role of the
parent in a child's home-school relationship.
All parents have strengths and should know they are valued.
All parents can make a contribution to their child's education and to the school
program.
All parents have the capacity to learn developmental and educational
techniques to help their children.
All parents have a perspective on their children that can be important and
useful to teachers.
Parent-child relationships are different from teacher-child relationships.
Parents should be consulted in all decisions about parental involvement.
All parents really do care about their children (Becher 1984).
Parent involvement is most effective when it is comprehensive, well-planned, and
long lasting, and when it takes a positive approach, rather than focusing on
remedial intervention. Parents do not have to be well-educated in order to help;
in fact, children from low-income and minority families have the most to gain
when schools involve parents.
WHAT ARE WE CURRENTLY DOING?
As an integral part of planning for and writing this plan, the Weakley County
Parent Involvement Team, as part of the Family Friendly Schools Training, sent
surveys to every parent in the Weakley County School system. These surveys
were returned and data analyses were made and reviewed. The findings from
these surveys, resulted in the following.
Listed below are the activities as they relate to the six areas in the framework of
parental involvement.
P-Parenting CM-Communicating V-Volunteering
L-Learning at Home D-Decision Making C-Collaborating
DISTRICT LEVEL
1. Publish and distribute a Student Handbook, which is sent home to each
parent at the beginning of school. This handbook contains most of the
pertinent information and policies that parents need, including a directory
for schools with personnel and phone numbers.
2. Maintain a school system website, with information needed be parents,
including announcements and school lunch menus. An additional feature
will be the listing of grade level curriculum by month, so that parents will
know what their child is learning.
3. Hold an annual meeting to which parents, school personnel, and
interested citizens are invited to have input and ask questions about both
the design and implementation of all federally funded school programs,
including parent involvement requirements. One important part of these
requirements is to annually evaluate the content and effectiveness of the
parent involvement plan.
4. Provide technical assistance to schools in helping to plan and implement
effective parent involvement activities through such activities as meetings
with school principals, meetings with parent-teacher groups, providing
financial support for allowable parent engagement activities, and other
activities as needed, including promoting parental and community support
in programs for ELL students.
5. Meet, and coordinate strategies and plans with other programs having
similar goals and responsibilities for parent involvement, including but not
limited to Reading First, Pre-School and Head Start.
6. Provide training for parents and staff in ways to implement new initiatives
under NCLB.
SCHOOL LEVEL
Listed on the next several pages are some of the Parent and Family Engagement
Activities found in our schools. These are not exhaustive lists, but are
representative of ongoing efforts to be more family friendly, and to include
parents and families in the activities and certainly the learning process of all
students in Weakley County.
Family and Community Involvement Activities
School: Dresden Elementary
Key to Type
of
Engagement: P - Parenting
CM - Communicating
V - Volunteering
L - Learning at Home
D - Decision Making
C - Collaborating
Type of
Engagement Activity Description
When
Done
P, V Parent Teacher Organization All Year
D, C Parent /Teacher Advisory Committee All Year
CM Open House Aug.
CM Kindergarten Open House Aug.
CM, V Donuts for Dad Oct.
CM, V Muffins for Mom Feb.
CM, P Schoolwide evening programs for parents - performances and training All Year
P, CM Citizen of the Month programs Monthly
P, CM Citizen of the Year program All Year
P, CM, C Parent conferences (2 per year)
Oct. @
Jan.
P, V Parent volunteer Art classes Monthly
CM, P Individual teacher classroom newsletters All Year
L, CM, P Weakley Readers program and evening reading with parents All Year
CM, L State Standards per grade are sent home to parents Aug. Sept.
C, CM, P Parent/Teacher/Student Compact Aug.
CM, D DES Student Handbook/ County Handbook Aug.
CM, C Weekly notes sent home by Principal and staff All Year
CM, P Good News From DES postcards All Year
V, C Outdoor Classroom All Year
V Lion's Vision Program Feb.
C, CM Local business partners programs All Year
CM School based Web site All Year
CM, C Principal is member of local Rotary club All Year
CM, C Report cards 6 Weeks
Family and Community Involvement Activities
School: DRESDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Key to Type
of
Engagement: P - Parenting
CM - Communicating
V - Volunteering
L - Learning at Home
D - Decision Making
C - Collaborating
Type of
Engagement Activity Description When Done
CM NEW AND UPDATED WESITE INC. TEACHER EMAIL DAILY, ALL YEAR
CM MONTHLY CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS MONTHLY
V, CM, C P.I.E. RELATIONSHIPS FOR EACH GRADE ALL YEAR
C, V COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS BY STUDENTS IN CLUBS ALL YEAR
C,V,D,CM STUDENT COUNCIL AND BETA PARENT MEETINGS ALL YEAR
V,CM,C USE PARENT CHAPERONES ON CLUB AND FIELD TRIPS ALL YEAR
CM WEEKLY ARTICLE IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS
WEEKLY, ALL
YEAR
P,C,V USE OF PARENT VOLUNTEERS FOR PROJECTS AT SCHOOL ALL YEAR
C,CM, P 5TH GRADE ORIENTATION, PARENT NIGHT AUGUST
CM,V,D,C PTO GROUP (P.R.I.D.E.) AND ADVISORY BOARD ALL YEAR
CM,V,D,C ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB (OFFICERS AND MEMBERS) ALL YEAR
C,CM,D PRINCIPAL IS A MEMBER OF DRESDEN ROTARY CLUB ALL YEAR
CM,C
VETERANS DAY PROGRAM AND BREAKFAST TO HONOR
VETS NOVEMBER
CM,V,D,C SACS COMMITTEES FOR SCHOOL IMP. (PARENTS & COMM.) ALL YEAR
CM SCHOOL MARQUIS (ST. RECOGNITION & SCH. INFORMATION) ALL YEAR
CM,C,P SCHOOL/FAMILY COMPACT (TITLE SCHOOL) AUGUST
C,CM AWARDS NIGHT CEREMONY FOR STUDENTS / PARENTS MAY
P,CM, C
STUDENT PLANNERS/AGENDAS PROVIDED FOR EVERY
STUD. ALL YEAR
P,CM,C,D TWO PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES HELD OCT. & JAN.
CM REPORT CARDS AND PROGRESS REPORTS
CM, CALLING PARENTS TO CHECK ON ABSENTEES
CM, P, D, L CALLING PARENTS TO INFORM OF LACK OF HOMEWORK
Family and Community Involvement Activities
School: Gleason School
Key to Type
of
Engagement: P - Parenting
CM - Communicating
V - Volunteering
L - Learning at Home
D - Decision Making
C - Collaborating
Type of
Engagement Activity Description When Done
P,V Parent Teacher Organization All Year
CM Open House August
P, CM Citizen of the Month Program Monthly
P, CM, C Parent Teacher Conferences October and January
CM Student Planners All Year
L, P Family Reading Night 6 times per year
CM Progress Reports Mid-six weeks
P, V, C Apple Day October
C, CM, P Parent/Student/Teacher Compact August
C, D Parent Teacher Advisory Dommittee All Year
CM School Web Site All Year
CM, C Report Cards 6 weeks
V, C Guest Readers All Year
L, P Following the Leaders Program All Year
D, V Walk for Diabetes Spring
P, CM, C Financial Aid Workshop January
CM, C Four Year Plan Registration for Incoming Freshman Spring
P,CM, C Academic Awards Banquet May
Family and
Community
Involvement
Activities
School: Greenfield School
Key to Type of
Engagement: P - Parenting
CM - Communicating
V - Volunteering
L - Learning at Home
D - Decision Making
C - Collaborating
Type of Engagement Activity Description When Done
CM, C JR. HIGH PARENT ORIENTATION NIGHT AUGUST
P, CM, L, C K-3 READING FIRST PARENT NIGHT SEPT
P,CM,D PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION SEPT.
P, CM, D PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION NOV.
P, CM, D PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION FEB.
P,CM,D PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION APR.
CM, C PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE OCT.
CM, C PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE JAN
Family and Community Involvement Activities
School: MARTIN PRIMARY
Key to Type
of
Engagement: P - Parenting
CM - Communicating
V - Volunteering
L - Learning at Home
D - Decision Making
C - Collaborating
Type of
Engagement Activity Description When Done
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES AT MARTIN
PRIMARY
P, V International Walk to School Week Oct.
V Mr. Earl Fundraisers Fall, Spring,
V Lions Club Eye Screening Oct.,
V Eye Screening with Dr. Francis Bynum Oct.,
V Assist in Lunchroom Spring,
V Teacher Appreciation Day May,
V Grandparent's Day at each grade level Sept.,
V Lunchroom Duty Spring
P,C
LETT Night (Parents & Student Technology each Monday
Night) Monday Nights
V Refurbish Playground Day Spring,
V Bike-a-Thon Sept
V Assist with Bus Duty and Carlines for Arrival and Departure Spring
V Volunteer in First Aid Room
V Donations to First Aid Room Fall
V Assist in Classrooms Daily
V Honors Day for Paraprofessionals April
P, CM, D, C Parent Teacher Organization
Sept., Nov., Feb.,
Apr.
V E W James Receipt Fundraiser Sept
V Field Trips/Chaperones
CM, C, D Daily Behavior Reports Daily
CM, D, C Weekly Progress Reports Weekly
CM Standardized Testing Results/Family Letter Oct
CM, C Open House Sept
CM School Newsletter
Each Six-Week
Period
CM Regular Classroom Newsletter Weekly
CM Special Area Teachers' Newsletter Sept
V Yearly Holiday Parties Oct., Nov., Dec., Feb.
CM, P, L Homework Assignments Daily
CM Web Page Daily
CM, C, D Advisory Board
CM, C, D, P Parent-Teacher Conferences Oct., Feb
CM, D, C IEP Meetings
V School Volunteer
CM Pre-K Home Visits Aug., Sept.
P Parents Have Lunch with Child(ren)
Family and Community Involvement Activities
School: MARTIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Key to Type
of
Engagement: P - Parenting
CM - Communicating
V - Volunteering
L - Learning at Home
D - Decision Making
C - Collaborating
Type of
Engagement Activity Description When Done
CM Website All year
CM THE DOLPHIN NEWSLETTER Once a month
CM Progress Reports Mid-six Weeks
CM Newspaper Articles depicting school happenings and successes Weekly
CM Teacher generated publications (newsletters) Once a month
V Parent Volunteer (helping individual teachers in their classrooms)
Various
schedules
P "Home and School Connection" Pamphlet
Once a month
P "Reading Connection" Pamphlet Once a month
P Tech Nights (Per Grade Level) Bi-weekly
L Skillstutor.com and Homeroom.com Anytime
C Coffee with Ms. Teresa 4 times/year
D School Improvement Plan (Committee members) Once a year
D Parent Involvement Plan Development Twice a Year
P-- Family Fun Night Once a Year
V Volunteer Readers (Read Across America Day) Once a Year
Family and Community Involvement Activities
School: Martin Middle School
Key to Type
of
Engagement: P - Parenting
CM - Communicating
V - Volunteering
L - Learning at Home
D - Decision Making
C - Collaborating
Type of
Engagement Activity Description
When
Done
V PTO year round
C Parent Advisory Committee year round
P MMS Back to School Cookout August
P MMS Open House August
CM Mandatory Beginning of Year Teacher Letter August
CM Student Planner (teacher email addresses) year round
documentation of teacher objectives and student discipline
CM Mandatory three week progress report year round
CM Notes and reminders printed on all report cards year round
CM Calendar of events and bulletin on school website year round
C MMS Spring Fest March
CM Four Year Plan Registration for High School with 8th graders/parents April
CM 5th Grade Parent Orientation May
8th Grade Graduation May
CM Calling students on the absentee list daily
Family and Community Involvement Activities
School: Sharon School
Key to Type
of
Engagement: P - Parenting
CM - Communicating
V - Volunteering
L - Learning at Home
D - Decision Making
C - Collaborating
Type of
Engagement Activity Description When Done
CM Agenda daily
CM Purple Folder Tuesdays
CM, L Progress Reports 3 Week Point
CM, L Report Cards 6 Week Point
P, V Parent Teacher Organization Meet Monthly
CM Parent Open House/ Parent Orientation August
CM Kindergarten Reception For Incoming Students of Upcoming Year May
P, CM Citizen of the Month Ceremonies Monthly
P, CM, C Parent Teacher Conferences (2 per year) October, January
CM, P, L Individual teacher classroom newsletters (k -1st) weekly
L, CM, P Weakley Readers Initiative Reading Program with nightly reading August - May
C, CM, P Parent/Teacher/Student Compact August
CM, C County Student Handbook August
CM School Based Web Site Year round
CM Newspaper Articles depicting school happenings and successes Monthly
V Parent Volunteers ( assisting various teachers and students) Various Schedules
V Mr. Earl Fundraisers
August -
September
V E W James Receipts for Education
September -
March
V Labels for Education Year round
V Fall Festival October
V Trunk or Treat October
V, L, P Various Field Trips Various Schedules
PHILOSOPHICAL SHIFT
The definition of Parent Involvement in Weakley County will experience a
philosophical shift. The objective of parent involvement should not be to create
more meetings or more activities for parents. Instead the school will see parents
as true partners and recruit them to solve real problems that have a significant
impact upon students. The objective of this shift is to establish projects or goals
that mean something to parents and then co-op parents to accomplish the
projects or goals.
Once parents feel that they are wanted and needed and see the benefit of the
focus groups, their involvement will likely increase. We must show them that their
input and skills are valuable and needed to ensure the success of the school,
and the school system.

Improvement Plan (note: this file is in PDF format. You must have the free Acrobat reader to view it.)