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Littleton Public Schools Policy |
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Policy Code KBA Policy Name Title I Parent Involvement in Education (per No Child Left Behind Act of 2001) Adoption November 20, 2003 Revised |
The Board of Education believes that the education of each student is the responsibility shared by the school as well as parents. Engaging the community as an active partner with the School District achieves a sense of shared ownership for results. It is the intention of this Title I parent involvement policy to incorporate strategies to improve communication between the school staff and parents to promote excellence in learning. In this policy, the word “parent” also includes guardians and other members of a student’s family involved in the student’s education.
Title I is a federally funded program that provides educational assistance in reading and math to disadvantaged children in high-poverty schools. Title I involves targeting funds and services at special populations of children who need additional assistance above and beyond the regular school day. These special populations may also include students with disabilities, English language learners, migrant students, and the homeless.
Goals for Parent Involvement
To successfully link teachers, parents, and students in a true learning community.
To provide creative ways for parents to become more involved at their students’ school.
To recognize the importance of parental involvement and to help parents understand the educational process and their role in supporting student achievement.
To promote two-way communication between parents and the school community by removing barriers such as fear of school community, cultural differences, and language barriers.
District Support for Parent Involvement
The District will provide coordination, technical assistance, and other support necessary to assist participating Title I schools in building the capacity for strong parent involvement. Title I parents shall receive information concerning District and school activities and shall have opportunities for input into District decisions as appropriate.
A Title I Parent Involvement Council will meet annually to review and evaluate Title I program effectiveness and make recommendations for changes in delivery of services and communication between the school, parents, and the community.
Title I will collaborate with other District programs such as English Language Learner, Early Literacy Intervention, and Adult Literacy Education to support parent involvement.
Parents will be invited and encouraged to attend meetings to develop the Title I program to meet the unique needs of students in the Title I schools. Parental voice is essential in planning program designs around fluctuating Title I allocations.
Assistance will be available to help parents in understanding the state’s achievement standards, state and local assessments, the requirements of the Title I program, and the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Parents will be encouraged to participate in an end-of-the-year evaluation process to assess the effectiveness of the Title I program and the parent involvement plan.
Parents will be informed of school choices within the District, including, but not limited to, information on open enrollment, choice programs, and charter school options.
School-Level Title I Parent Involvement
Annually, each school receiving Title I funding will create a parent involvement plan designed to meet their Title I community needs. This plan will be submitted annually to the Title I administration liaison. In addition, each school will use a school-parent compact to confirm responsibilities of staff, students, and parents to promote excellence in learning. The Title I staff will provide a parent mentor to help transition new parents into the Title I program.
Parents will be informed about the goals and purposes of Title I, any Title I programs at the school, curriculum used in the programs, the academic assessments used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet. Parents will receive updates regarding their student’s progress towards attaining proficiency in District and state content standards.
Informational meetings shall be offered at various dates and times to facilitate attendance by parents. Parent support will be provided through activities such as literacy night, back-to-school night, family game night, and supplying the materials and instruction for each. The Title I staff will ensure that all information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is sent to parents in a format that removes cultural and economic barriers.
Seminars and outside resources will be provided for parents to acquire new strategies for increased student achievement. Adult Literacy Education for parents will be promoted to reduce anxiety for parents with limited English. The Title I staff will provide opportunities for parents to volunteer in the classroom and participate in Title I and other District activities.
Legal Reference: C.R.S. 22-7-407 (5) (informing parents about standards-based education)
C.R.S. 22-11-201 (4)(b)(I) (accreditation contract must bind district to administer community involvement, including processes for parents)
C.R.S. 22-30.5-109 (publicity regarding educational options)
1 CCR 301-1, Rules 2202-R.2.01 (4)(j) (accreditation contract must include goals and processes for informing and involving parents, families, community and accountability committees)
20 U.S.C. §6301 et seq. (No Child Left Behind Act of 2001)
Title I, Part A, Section 1118 (Title I parent involvement requirements)
Title I, Part A, Section 1115 (c)(1)(g) (Targeted Assistance Program must include parent involvement strategies)
Title I, Part A, Section 1116 (a)(1)(D) (school districts’ receiving Title I funds must review effectiveness of parent involvement actions and activities at schools)
Title I, Part F, Section 1606 (a)(7) (Comprehensive School Reform Grant Program parent involvement requirements)
Title I, Part A, Section 1112 (g) (parent involvement and notifications in districts using Title I funds to provide language instruction to limited English proficient students)
Cross Reference: ABA, Public Involvement in Decision Making
AE, Accountability/Commitment to Accomplishment
AEA, Standards-Based Education
IA, Instructional Goals and Learning Objectives
IL, Evaluation of Instructional Programs
ILBA, District Program Assessments
ILBB, State Program Assessments
KB, Parent/Community Involvement in Education
KCB, Review of Decisions at Request of Community Members