Fall, 2002, No. 13 National Network of Partnership Schools
If you do not have Acrobat Reader, click here to download Acrobat Reader.
NCLB and NNPS: No Child and No Family Left Behind
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) of 2001, the reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act, provides federal funds to states, districts, and schools to increase the quality of all schools and the success of all students. This includes Title I (over $10 billion) and many other programs.
NCLB requires all states to administer annual standardized reading and math tests for students in grades 3-8 and once in high school by the 2005-06 school year, and to add science tests at each school level by 2006-07. Schools are expected to help all students make adequate yearly progress in learning, as defined by each state.
NCLB also has important requirements for involving all families in their children's education, starting this school year. States, districts, and schools in the National Network of Partnership Schools should lead the way in meeting the recommendations in NCLB for parent and community involvement.
Plans for Partnerships to Help Students
Title I of NCLB (Section 1118) requires schools, districts, and states to develop policies on partnerships and to conduct programs and practices for NNPS' six types of involvement. At least 1% of Title I awards to districts of over $500,000 must be designated for parental involvement and, now, 95% of that must be targeted for school-based partnership programs. NNPS tools can help members lead the way by planning, implementing, and continually improving partnership programs that focus family involvement on school improvement goals to improve students' skills, attendance, and behavior. For example, NNPS' One-Year Action Plan exceeds the requirement for a school-parent compact by specifying goals, schedules, and responsibilities for implementing involvement activities.
Annual Reports of Test Scores and School Progress
Parents must receive reports of their own child's test scores and school, district, and state reports for school-by-school comparisons of test scores for all students and by racial/ethnic subgroups; proficiency levels; graduation rates; and teachers' professional qualifications. NNPS members should lead the way by presenting easy-to-read reports via print, website, e-mail, and other formats. These "school report cards" also may include attendance rates, disciplinary actions, class size, progress on partnerships, and other important information for parents and the public.
Choosing Better Schools
Schools that do not make adequate yearly progress for two years must permit parents to select a more successful school for their children in the same district and provide students with transportation to the new school. NNPS members should lead the way by providing clear information to eligible families and by developing equitable processes of school choice.
Selecting Supplementary Services
School districts must enable parents of failing students in failing schools after three years to choose approved service providers for tutoring, enrichment, after-school, and summer programs. NNPS districts and schools should lead the way by designing and conducting communications so that parents of eligible students can choose the best supplementary services to help their children attain the skills they need.
Improving Schools
If NNPS schools are identified as needing improvement, corrective action, or restructuring, NNPS members should lead the way by engaging educators, parents, and others to work together to improve failing schools. This includes maintaining a well-functioning Action Team for Partnerships with a well-planned program of family and community involvement to help students increase their skills, scores, and other indicators of success.
Summary
In addition to Title I, other sections of NCLB require good communications with preschool, homeless, migratory, rural, and other families with special circumstances. In all cases, NNPS members should lead the way by identifying targeted funds to conduct connections to help schools understand families' goals for students and to help families understand the schools and participate in their children's education.
The National Network of Partnership Schools at Johns Hopkins will continue to share research-based information to help members leave no family behind in the partnerships required by NCLB.
