Fall, 2000 No. 9 National Network of Partnership Schools
Parent Centers Move Libraries to the Curb
Local School District B* (a mini-district in the Los Angeles Unified School District –LAUSD) established libraries in all parent centers in the district to help improve student reading achievement. Previously, families may have looked for information, but often did not know what resources were available or how to access them.
The Parent Libraries helped the district support families by making available accurate and relevant parenting information and children’s literature. Materials included books, leaflets, audiotapes, videos, and other resources for parents in both English and Spanish to check out on a daily basis.Curbside Libraries
In order to increase the number of parents using the library services, the parent centers displayed an assortment of books on rolling carts twice a week at the front gate or curb, where parents could easily make their selections. Borrowed books were returned inside the parent centers to ensure that new parents discovered the centers and services.
When parents checked out materials, they received flyers listing upcoming workshops on how to share books with their children, and other events sponsored by the centers. Parent center leaders were trained to conduct a variety of bilingual workshops on family reading, high frequency words, Latino family literacy, and other topics.
Results Documented
Records were kept of the number of parents using the curbside libraries, the number of workshop series presented, and how many parents attended. In addition, Los Angeles Compact on Evaluation studied a group of comparison schools to measure the effects of the district’s parent involvement efforts on student achievement. Data for the 1998-1999 school year showed a 5.7% increase in students’ reading scores and a 4.7% increase in students’ language scores for the schools in the program.
As a member of the National Network of Partnership Schools, Local School District B in LAUSD demonstrates strong leadership, quality planning, innovative practices, and continuous improvement in its school, family, and community partnership program. This mini-district received a Partnership District Award for excellence in and commitment to improving partnerships for student success.
*Local School District B was formerly the Francis Polytechnic/North Hollywood Cluster.
Adapted from: Promising Partnership Practices—2000, National Network of Partnership Schools at Johns Hopkins University.
