LA  (May 2009)

Rescinds LA SEP 27 1982

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

This school board reaffirms the school district=s strong commitment to the role of parents in their children=s education and to effective, comprehensive parental involvement.  In this policy, Aparent@ is intended to include parents, guardians, and other family members involved in supervising the child=s schooling.  Parental/family involvement in a child=s learning is a critical link to achieve academic success and to promote a safe and disciplined learning environment.

Schools and families will work together to ensure that the educational process includes quality learning at home, in school, and in the community. The following steps will be taken to achieve this goal:

1. The superintendent will assess the status of parental involvement, review existing policies and procedures, and develop necessary regulations and procedures to support this policy, including a review of staff and budget support.
    
2. The Board of Education will support parental involvement by seeking parental input on school system policies, including curriculum, facilities, and funding issues.

 
STRATEGIES FOR PARENT/ FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

1. Effective two-way communication between all parents and schools regarding school system policies and regulations, local school policies, and an individual child=s progress.
    
2. Activities to encourage parental volunteer opportunities in schools both in the classroom and in other areas of the school including attendance at local school programs and events.
    
3.  Information and programs for parents on how to establish a home environment to support learning and appropriate behavior.
    
4.  Information and programs for parents about how they can assist their own children to learn.
    
5. Assistance to develop parental involvement in educational advocacy through PTAs and other organizations, including school system task forces and advisory committees.

ROLE OF LOCAL SCHOOLS

While each division, office, and school must assess its role and plan of action to meet these goals, all school district employees are expected to convey a commitment to parental involvement. Consistent with this commitment, local schools are expected to:

1. Develop activities and materials that provide for effective two-way communication between parents and the school on local school policies and individual student progress; 
    
2. Support and encourage parental volunteer opportunities; 
    
3. Provide programs that assist parents in learning how they can help children learn, including activities that are connected to what children are learning in the classroom; and,
    
4. Work with PTA leadership to ensure parental input.

ROLE OF CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF

In addition to the role of the local schools, appropriate staff in central offices are expected to support local school efforts and, where relevant:

1. Communicate with parents on school system policies and regulations;
    
2. Provide for the development of parenting programs and materials, including the use of cable television, pamphlets, adult education courses, parent resource centers, and programs designed to orient new parents to the school district;
    
3. Maintain and support with appropriate information and training parental volunteer opportunities countywide;
    
4. Assist in the development of parental leadership through PTAs and other recognized groups;
    
5. Work with businesses, organizations, and other government agencies which by their policies and activities can provide support and assistance for parental involvement efforts;
    
6. Provide appropriate teacher and staff training to support effective parental involvement; conduct staff and parent training in ways to communicate and work together including problem solving, conflict resolution skills, and outreach strategies;
    
7. Identify and publicize promising programs and practices related to parental involvement;
    
8. Work with colleges and universities that prepare teachers and administrators to support the inclusion of school and family connections in their training programs;
    
9. Develop methods to accommodate and support parental involvement for all parents with special needs including those with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities; and, 
    
10. Develop mechanisms for local schools to use in order to assess the effectiveness of their parental involvement efforts.