Ideas for Parent Involvement

Listed below are ideas shared within workshop focus groups on the six standards, and how they interact to improve Parent Involvement. Please share these with parents, teachers, administrators, and your school board.

Standard 1. Welcoming all families into the school community – Families are active participants in the life of the school and are connected to what students are doing in class

•  School newsletters/teacher weekly newsletter for class information
  
• Agenda's (assignment books) between home and school - must be signed by parents and teachers need to read parent comments
  
• Websites for calendars and all-district/school, also to list classroom assignments and a "pop-up" if a student is failing or having trouble (this is
• being done in some districts in the Kansas City area)
  
• Once-a-week folder for two-way communication
  
• Use the same colored paper for PTA information so parents know who it's from
  
• Have the principal/teachers research or survey for commonly asked questions for Parent Teacher Conferences
  
• Record a weekly message from the principal on the website or on voicemail
  
• Hold grade level or classroom round table discussions between the teacher and parents
  
• Message marque in front of the school with school and PTA news
  
• Set up Parent Resource table in the entrance of the school with school and  PTA news available
  
• E-mail always available between parents, teachers, and staff

Standard 2. Communicating effectively – Families and school staff engage in regular communication about student learning

• Have a Principal's Coffee - meeting with the principal and counselors for questions and answers on "hot" topics in the school that parents should know
• PTA's provide information that helps to build skills for parents like the National PTA website, or National Education Assoc. website
  
• Share with teachers or principals how parents feel they are regarded in the school
  
• Provide information on local groups that may be able to help those in need
  
• Hold parent programs like WATCHDOGS, and Health Fairs to teach and support parents
  
• Make books, brochures, and videos available for checkout

 Standard 3. Supporting student success – Families and school staff collaborate to support student’s learning and success

• Hold parent curriculum nights or "Parent University" so parents can learn how to do their child's homework such as math, science, or reading night
  
• Hold an interactive Parent/Child night-let the child guide you through his/her day
  
• Design a standards of Learning for each grade level - what should be grade appropriate
  
• Explain the No Child Left Behind Act, and MAP testing and their impact on student learning
  
• Make sure teachers have a place on the district website that parents can print forms, information, and assignments
  
• Promote and encourage your building to use parents as "Book Buddies"
  
• Have teachers make a "Helping Hands" list of what they need to have help with on hand at Back to School night posted along with a parent sign-up - help parents know what teachers NEED
  
• Keep a parent suggestion box for ideas on how to help student learning in the office/entry way - check it often
  
• Once a week, or when appropriate have interactive parent/child homework that can be done together
  
• Enlist your PTA and especially your Council to promote ideas on student learning from building to building. Good ideas SHOULD be passed along 

Standard 4. Speaking up for every child – Families are empowered to be advocates for their own and other children

• Take surveys of teachers to see what they need parents to do
  
• Create a parent task force to give input on school issues
  
• Hold a parent "mixer" to meet and discuss student issues
  
• Create a volunteer sheet for sign-in at the office so you know how many hours your volunteers are contributing and who they are – school volunteers know what’s happening in the building
  
• Utilize your PTSA students as conflict managers and advocacy mediation
  
• Become knowledgeable about the operations of schools and the laws that govern those operations

Standard 5. Sharing Power – Families and school staff are equal partners in decisions that affect children

• Attend PTA, school, and district meetings regularly to stay informed
  
• Run for your local school board
  
• Create a Site-based management team (parents, educators, administrators, and students) to focus on issues in the school affecting your children
  
• Offer in-service training for teachers, staff, and parents so collaborative partnering can happen
  
• PTA's and schools should give information to parents in simple language
  
• Recognize and reward Site-based management teams/action teams for the work they are doing
  
• Share information continually by newsletters, websites, and e-mail

Standard 6. Collaborating with the community – Families and school staff collaborate with community members to connect the community and expand learning opportunities

• Bring in businesses from the community to give real-life learning workshops
  
• Ask a local church or other organization to partner with a cooking event
  
• Check with Girl Scouts, churches, and college students for babysitting at school events
  
• Start an after-school intern program with businesses using students
  
• Have students volunteer for community events, festivals, etc.
  
• Plan a student talent show and invite the community - show the community the value of their students