Spring, 2000 No. 8 National Network of Partnership Schools
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Network Invites Schools, Districts, and States to Apply for 1999-2000 Partnership Awards
Singapore Prepares Schools to Improve School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Network Invites Schools, Districts, and States to Apply for 1999-2000 Partnership Awards
Schools, districts, and states with EXCELLENT and PERMANENT programs of school, family, and community partnerships are invited to apply for the National Network’s 1999-2000 Partnership Awards. The new awards will recognize schools, districts, and states that have been in the Network for at least two years, demonstrate high quality plans and practices, and make continuous improvement in their partnership programs from year to year.
The Partnership Awards program is not a competition. All programs will be recognized that reach high standards on six criteria: Teamwork, Leadership, Plans for Action, Implementation/Facilitation, Evaluation, and Network Connections. A letter of recommendation also is required. The criteria are based on the National Network’s research on effective components of partnership programs and suggestions from Network members who attended the State and District Leadership Meeting in November, 1999.
Recipients of the Partnership School Awards, Partnership District Awards, and Partnership State Awards will be announced in August. The programs that are honored will receive an award banner or plaque, and be publicized in the Network’s newsletter and web site, and in local and national education media. Applications were mailed to all members in February, and are due by June 30. Extra copies are available on request, or click here to view/print Partnership Awards Applications.
Singapore Prepares Schools to Improve School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Over 1000 school leaders, heads of departments, and parents from 352 schools in Singapore attended one-day training workshops at the Nanyang Polytechnic School in September, 1999, conducted by Dr. Joyce Epstein, director of the National Network of Partnership Schools. The workshops guided education leaders to increase their understanding of school, family, and community partnerships, develop action teams, and plan partnership programs linked to school improvement goals for the 2000 school year. Meetings also were conducted with the Minister of Education, an advisory council—COMPASS (Community and Parents in Support of Schools), and other agencies and groups that are interested in improving family and community involvement to increase student well-being and success in school.
The workshops were organized by Mrs. Tan-Kek Lee Yong, Deputy
Director of the Pastoral Care and Career Guidance Branch (PCCG) of the Ministry of Education. She was assisted by a talented group of Guidance Officers who work with about 20 schools each, and who will facilitate the schools’ efforts to improve partnerships. They include: Ms. Carol Yeo, Ms. Joyce Ng, Mrs. Rosie Wee, Mrs. Chue Mei Lin, Ms. Lily Yip, and Mrs. Agatha Chen. Some schools will begin their work on partnerships in the 2000 school year, and other schools will be assisted in future years.Interests and concerns about parental involvement in Singapore are very similar to those in the U. S. For example, one secondary school conducted student-led parent-teacher-student conferences, and other schools plan to implement this approach. Many schools were interested in the Network’s TIPS interactive homework process that guides student-parent conversations about schoolwork.
Epstein noted, "Singapore’s schools have set goals for improving student achievement and success across the primary, secondary, and postsecondary levels, including improving skills in English, mother-tongue, and many other subjects. The country is rich in its diversity of families and in its strong sense of community. With its talented leaders in the PCCG and the high interest of its schools in improving involvement, Singapore should be able to develop its network for School-Home-Community Collaboration and become an active affiliate of the National Network of Partnership Schools."
