A Virtual Reality Tour of a Family-Friendly Partnership SchoolOhio Department of Education Columbus, Ohio “This is just what we needed,” said Ohio Superintendent of Education Susan Tave Zelman, when she saw the CD-ROM and companion web site that take viewers on a virtual tour of a family- friendly partnership school. “It begins in the parking lot and leads viewers on a narrated tour of the building, including the office, classroom, cafeteria, gymnasium, library, and Parent Resource Center. Along the way, viewers see innovative examples of how schools can be more friendly and functional for students and families, as well as for the entire community,” the tour materials explain. The Virtual Tour CD’s web site is located at: www.familyfriendlypartnershipschool.org. More... Ann Bohman, Educational Consultant, Federal Programs and Parent Involvement 614-466-4161 ann.bohman@ode.state.oh.us Type | State | |
Accelerating Student Achievement Task ForceQueen Anne's County Public Schools Centreville, Maryland After a statewide executive summit on minority-student achievement, the Queen Anne’s County Public Schools (QACPS) realized they needed to step up their efforts to eliminate the achievement gap. In response, they formed the Accelerating Student Achievement Task Force to develop an action plan, evaluate the effectiveness of the action plan strategies, and suggest new ideas to improve learning and family involvement for minority students for consideration by the district’s Master Plan Steering Committee. More... Michelle Carey, Title I Facilitator 410-758-2403 ext 263 careym@qacps.k12.md.us Type | District | |
Community Network for Addressing Demographic ChangeBaltimore County Public Schools Baltimore, Maryland District-wide analysis of student achievement data indicated that Latino students from southeastern Baltimore County were underperforming. The multiple needs of this growing Hispanic community prevented the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) from solving the problems alone. In response, BCPS Parent Support Services joined with community stakeholders to identify and resolve issues that would help strengthen families and increase student success. Together, they formed the Southeastern Community Network. More... Susan Ward Hahn, Parent Services Assistant 410-887-0365 shahn2@bcps.org Type | District | |
Hoover Pyramid Mentoring ProgramFresno Unified School District Fresno, California The Hoover Pyramid Mentoring Program in the Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) connects more than 300 students each year with a mentor, beginning in the fourth grade. This long-term relationship aims to support the students until they graduate from Hoover High School. The Pyramid Mentoring Program extends the successful mentoring program at Hoover High, which began in 1996. To implement the extended program, Hoover partnered with five elementary schools and two middle schools, all of which are feeder schools. The Volunteer Center of Fresno County, also a partner, serves a major role in identifying mentors. Twice, the program has been selected as the outstanding school-based mentoring program in California. More... Pam Dungy, Program Director 555-248-7137 pldungy@fresno.k12.ca.us Type | District | |
Kindergarten Data Collection by Volunteers ProjectAnoka-Hennepin Independent School District #11 Anoka, Minnesota When the Anoka-Hennepin School District began requiring kindergarten teachers to collect signifi- cant amounts of data on the reading abilities of their students, teachers worried that the time spent on the assessments would detract signifi- cantly from their teaching time. In addition, the district had just shifted its kindergarten schedule to full days every other day rather than half-days every day, creating further concern about an instructional time crunch. More... Sue Archbold, Volunteer Services Supervisor - Parent Involvement 763-506-1585 sue.archbold@anoka.k21.mn.us Type | District | |
Parent Involvement System-Based TeamSt. Charles Parish Public Schools Luling, Louisiana When the St. Charles Parish Public Schools decided to focus on parent involvement, they created the Parent Involvement System-Based Team to spearhead the effort. By bringing the schools, parents, and the community together, the district hoped to strengthen teaching and promote continuous improvement and lifelong learning. More... Terry L. Matherne, Director of Federal Programs 985-785-3154 tmatherne@stcharles.k12.la.us Type | District | |
Parents Planning for Student SuccessCleveland Municipal School District Cleveland, Ohio The Cleveland Municipal School District is large, diverse, and committed to strong school, family, and community partnerships. In trying to involve parents in planning for student success, the district trained officers of School Parent Organizations (SPOs) and family liaisons to write One-Year Action Plans linked to school goals that would be included in schools’ Academic Achievement Plans (AAP). District facilitators further assisted the parent leaders by sharing partnership practices and helping align district expectations with school goals. The Title I coordinator and members of the Finance Department developed budget and spending procedures to implement the One-Year Action Plans and met with parents to explain the district budget process. Principals submitted the action plans for district review and approval. More... Dr. Theresa Yeldell, Executive Director 216-574-4906 Theresa.Yeldell@cmsdnet.net Type | District | |
Prescriptions for SuccessBaltimore County Public Schools Baltimore, Maryland The Department of Professional Development, Parent Support Services, and the Resource Center for Families and Schools of the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) joined together to improve parent-teacher conferences and promote learning at home. More than 2,000 students and parents benefited from Prescriptions for Success, which provided materials that families received after conferencing with teachers to support their children’s learning. More... Nancy Murray, Teacher, Resource Center for Families and Schools 410-887-1269 nmurray2@bcps.org Type | District | |
Quarterly Reports and Data NotebooksMontgomery County Public Schools Rockville, Maryland Today’s education climate is data driven. Interested parties at all levels demand accountability, and carefully compiled statistics are often the best way to demonstrate it. The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) understood this need for information and, in response, developed Quarterly Reports and Data Notebooks to help their district facilitators work with school Action Teams for Partnerships (ATPs) to collect data on their activities and review implementation of their plans. By collecting information and reviewing plans on a regular basis, ATPs improved program implementation more rapidly and increased the likelihood that the partnership practices they conduct will positively impact student achievement. More... Amy Alonso, Coordinator 301-279-3100 amy_j_alonso@mcpsmd.org Type | District | |
''Sowing the Seeds for Success'' Family ConferencePasco County School District Land O' Lakes, Florida Pasco County parents learned how to support their children both in and out of the classroom at the countywide “Sowing the Seeds for Success” Family Conference. In addition to explanations of statewide academic standards and regulations, including the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), the conference provided sessions on parenting skills, social skills, reading strategies, and technology use. More... Lori Yusko, Director of Communication 813-794-2717 lyusko@pasco.k12.fl.us Type | District | |
State Superintendent's Parent Leadership CorpsWisconsin Department of Public Instruction Madison, Wisconsin “It is essential that decision makers at all levels listen to and learn from parents.” –Elizabeth Burmaster, Superintendent Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Wisconsin’s education leader practices what she preaches. Shortly after being elected in 2001, Superintendent Burmaster founded the Parent Leadership Corps (PLC), a group of about 20 parents from throughout the state that provides feedback on her ideas and her work, and shares her plans with their communities. Burmaster attends all of the PLC meetings, updating members on state education issues and listening to parents’ ideas and concerns. More... Jane Grinde, Director 608-266-9356 Type | State | |
Stepping Out of the Box: A Parent Involvement ConferenceArkansas Department of Education Little Rock, Arkansas A new state law mandating a parent involvement plan for every school in Arkansas called for action. Schools needed innovative ways to meet the demands of the law, Act 603 of 2003. Among its provisions, the law requires every school to provide: • Two hours of professional development annually to enhance teachers’ understanding of parent involvement • Planned parent activities • “Family Kits” detailing the school’s involvement plan and the roles of parents, students and teachers • “Parent Make a Difference” Nights • Parent involvement committees “Act 603 is based, in part, on the research and practical approaches of the National Network of Partnership Schools,” said one Arkansas Department of Education official. More... Dee Cox, State Program Manager 501-682-4379 dcox@arkedu.k12.ar.us Type | State | |
The Learning Together ConferenceThe Winnipeg School Division Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Hoping to show families the importance of parent involvement in their children’s education, the Winnipeg School Division devised the Learning Together Conference, a two-day program that shares innovative activities with parents, students, teachers, and administrators for use in both the home and the classroom. This event has proven so popular that last year families braved the 40- below-zero wind chills of the Canadian winter to attend. More... Sandra McCaig, Director, Student Support Services 204-788-0203 smccaig@wsd1.org Type | District | |