1. 2007 Institute for School Improvement and Education Options How the System Might Address Parental Involvement

2. Panelists Kate Kressley, RMC Research and CII Kate Kressley, RMC Research and CII Eva Patrikakou, CII Eva Patrikakou, CII Reatha Owen, CII Reatha Owen, CII

3. SOLID Parents are part of the solution for improved student learning Foundation Strategies to fit your school’s purpose and plan

4. Building a Solid Foundation Parents are an essential part of the solution for improved student learning.

5. Why is Parent Involvement Important? Research shows that parent involvement is crucial for… Academic achievement outcomes Parent involvement is associated with higher student achievement outcomes such as grades, standardized scores, or teacher reports Social and behavioral outcomes Parent involvement is associated with preventing risky behaviors and reducing juvenile delinquency

6. From: Reynolds, A. & Clements, M. (2005). Parent involvement and children’s school success. In E.N. Patrikakou, R.P. Weissberg, J. Redding, S., & H.J. Walberg. (Eds). School- Family Partnerships for Children’s Success (pp. 109-127). New York, NY: Teachers College Press. ________________________________________________________________________ Parent InvolvementJuvenile Delinquency High School Completion ________________________________________________________________________ 0 22.6% 37.3% 1 22.4% 49.5% 2 16.1% 66.2% 3 12.6% 69.6% 4 13.9% 70.6% 511.3% 83.1% 6 8.7% 82.6% ________________________________________________________________________ Juvenile Delinquency and High School Completion Rates by Parent Involvement Rating

7. Title I Safe & Drug-Free Schools After-School Programs English Language Acquisition Special Education Parent Involvement and Learning Requirements in Federal Education Programs

8. No Child Left Behind and Parent Involvement Mandates School-Parent Compact District Policy School Policy Report Cards Parent Choice State Review Home-School Communication

9. How well are we doing in meeting these mandates? Between 2003-2006 the U.S. Department of Education monitoring of 53 State Education Agencies for Title I parent requirements revealed that... 72% were not in compliance

10. Why Solid Foundation? in helping schools assess their needs and plan parent involvement targeted to student learning. Because it works… Solid Foundation: An evidence-based foundation

11. Strengthen family-school connections Engage parents in children’s learning Improve student academic and social learning Solid Foundation is designed to:

12. Why Solid Foundation? With Solid Foundation, the connection between parents and their children’s learning is not left to chance.

13. A study of 129 low-performing schools in Illinois showed that Solid Foundation: Significantly improved student achievement on State tests Above and beyond the control group Above and beyond all elementary schools in Illinois From: Redding, Langdon, Meyer, & Sheley, M. (2004). The Effects of Comprehensive Parent Engagement on Student Learning Outcomes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Family Research Project An Evidence-based Foundation

14. Solid Foundation Effectiveness Study Mean Difference (Gain) From 2001-2003 in Percent of Students Meeting or Exceeding Sate Expectations on ISAT 5 4.5 4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1.5 0 Solid Foundation Control Group Illinois

15. Solid Foundation’s History Developed, field-tested, refined by Academic Development Institute (ADI) in 18 states over 20 years. Supported by foundations, Regional Educational Laboratory, PIRC funding, and Illinois SEA.

16. What is Solid Foundation? A web-based tool to assess, plan, implement, and monitor parent involvement at the school level. A two-year assessment-planning- implementation cycle for the School Improvement Plan.

17. Features of Solid Foundation Step by Step Approach Web-Based System Flexible Options Site-Based Decision Making Self-Sustaining Methods Quality Resources External Partner Support

18. Solid Foundation Flowchart Center on Innovation & Improvement Regional Comprehensive Center State Education Agency External Partner School – Based Team Local Education Agency

19. Two-Year Cycle AssessPlan Implement

20. Who is responsible for this process? The principal and the school team guide the Solid Foundation process.

21. What is a school team? The school team can be a school improvement team or other school-based team that includes the principal, teacher representatives, parent representatives, and parent facilitator. Parents are an important part of this team.

22. What is an external partner? The external partner is a technical assistance provider from a partnering organization who assists the school team in the Solid Foundation process.

23. Who can be partnering organization? School District State Education Agency Regional Office of Education (ROE) Statewide System of Support (SSOS) Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC) Community Based Organization Other

24. What kinds of assistance does the external partner provide? Orient the school team Assist the team with assessment and planning Build capacity with training and assistance Monitor progress

25. Sample Timeline Solid Foundation – Phase 1 Orientation Meeting Complete School Information Form Complete Policy Analysis Complete School Community Survey Complete Needs Assessment Create Action Plan Solid Foundation – Phase 2 Implement Action Plan Monitor ProgressEvaluate Progress and Repeat Solid Foundation Process

27. Solid Foundation Web Page

28. 10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School Community The principal completes the School Information Form online and organizes a school team. The partnering organization applies online and receives a web-based training. Step 1 Step 2

29. 10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School Community The principal gathers 6 key documents District Parent Involvement Policy School Parent Involvement Policy Homework Policy Compact Classroom Visit Policy Student Report Card Step 3

30. Sample Compact Analysis

31. The school team completes the School Community Survey Step 5 The principal downloads the Resource Manual Step 6 The external partner (with the school team) reviews the School Information Form and scores the 6 key documents with Solid Foundation’s web-based rubrics. Step 4 10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School Community

32. Resource Manual - TOC

33. Resource Manual - Samples

34. 10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School Community The school team develops an action plan based on the need assessments and School Improvement Plan. The school team completes a needs assessment using their School Information Form, Policy Analysis, and School Community Survey results. Step 7 Step 8

35. 10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School Community Step 9 Step 10 The principal leads the school team and other staff and volunteers in implementing the action plan. The school team monitors progress with implementation and updates the action plan.

36. “Solid Foundation helped us identify how parents can make an academic and social difference in their child’s life at home and school. I would recommend this tool to anyone who is interested in improving their school community. Expect real results.” Tony Brooks, Cahokia Illinois Principal

37. Contact Information www.families-schools.org Reatha Owen Center on Innovation & Improvement 121 North Kickapoo Lincoln, IL 62656 1-800-759-1495 ext. 17 Kate Gill Kressley RMC Research 1000 Market Street, Bldg 2 Portsmouth, NH 03801 1-800-258-0802