Can We Talk? Speaking Up for Your Child to Help Them Succeed Welcome – and Share Purpose for the Session – Parent Advocacy Speaking Up for Your Child and Every Child Parents are advocates for their own and other children, to ensure that students are treated fairly and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success The parent advocate you have been looking for is you WCS

Outcomes Discussed how to effectively talk with teachers and principals and advocate for their child Learned about the importance of parent involvement to help my child succeed Shared tips and networked with other parents Review the outcomes for the session. This session provides an opportunity for you as a parent to talk with other parents. Together, parent-to-parent we will: Simplify the school process for working with the school to help your child Discuss and develop steps to take action Share tips and learn from each other Make contacts with other parents WCS

Nearly half of the new jobs created in the next 10 years will require some kind of college education—whether it’s community college, a four-year college, or technical school. If the trend continues, there will be fewer and fewer jobs available for those with only a high school diploma. Share statements on slide. At this session you will learn about the Wilson County Schools commitment to helping every student leave high school prepared for college and career success. We need your help. As parents and educators we have to work together. In today’s world, our children have a greater chance of achieving their dreams if they continue their education beyond high school. More education pays off. Did you know that the average college graduate will earn $2.1 million dollars over a lifetime? That’s nearly double what the average high school graduate will make. It is important for every child who wants to go to college to be able to do so and to know what it takes to succeed in college and earn a degree. WCS

Agree Disagree or If my child is struggling in school, I know who to contact to share my concerns. Read the statement n the screen to the parent and ask them to hold up the card the best describes how they feel. (agree/ disagree) Then ask if anyone would like to share. WCS

I feel comfortable advocating for my child. Agree or Disagree I feel comfortable advocating for my child. Read the statement n the screen to the parent and ask them to hold up the card the best describes how they feel. (agree/ disagree) Then ask if anyone would like to share. WCS

Insert Picture Share an experience where you had to advocate for your child. WCS

What the Research Says Parent involvement has a positive impact on students’ academic achievement, behavior, and attitudes about school and work The U.S. Department of Education defines parent involvement as the participation of parents in regular, two-way communication involving student academic learning and other school activities. Dr. Karen Mapp, Harvard University and Dr. Anne Henderson, Annenberg Institute – two top national researchers on the effect of examined over 30 studies that specifically addressed the connection between student achievement and parent involvement activities. The bottom line is that over many years of research proves that that parent involvement has a positive impact on students’ academic achievement, behavior and attitudes about school. We know – Parents are their children’s first and most influential teacher. The home is where language and learning begins and values are taught and nurtured. Families, schools, and community groups all contribute to student achievement – and the best results happen when all three are working together. When parents are involved in school, children do better in school, they go to better schools. The continuity of family involvement at home has a positive influence on children as they progress through a complex education System. This suggests that the more families support their children’s learning and educational progress, the more their children do well in school and continue their education after high school graduation.

Family Engagement Core Beliefs All parents have dreams for their children and want the best for them. Core Belief 2 All parents have the capacity to support their children’s learning. Core Belief 3 Parents and school staff should be equal partners. Dr. Karen Mapp, and Dr. Anne Henderson outline core beliefs that support family engagement and support that parent Involvement has a positive impact on student achievement and success. Share the core beliefs. Families of all cultural backgrounds, education, and income levels encourage their children, talk with them about school, help Them prepare and plan for higher education, and keep them focused on learning and homework. In other words, all families Can, and often do, have a positive influence on their children’s learning. The relationships between family and involvement and student performance holds for families of all backgrounds. The ways parents are involved matters, too. Improved performance is most strongly connected to parent involvement that is focused on learning, developing students’ skills in specific subjects, and steering students toward more challenging classes. Close working relationships between teachers and families are also related to improved performance. Core Belief 4 The responsibility for building partnerships between home and school rests primarily with school staff. Especially school leaders. . WCS

Road Blocks to Family Engagement Take five minutes to identify family engagement barriers at your school. Each group will share one road block. Large Group – facilitator will share directions for small groups – and that we will have 15 minutes for the activity. Each small group Ask participants to say their name, school/s children attend Road Blocks to Parent/Family Involvement Discuss and identify road blocks to parent involvement at your school. PAC members will help their group be prepared to share one roadblock with the whole group. Write road blocks on chart paper Below are examples of road blocks to parent involvement that may help guide the discussion. Lack of time Child care Work schedule Feeling intimidated Not feeling welcome Lack of transportation Language and cultural differences Not understanding the system Feeling they don’t belong Not sure how to participate WCS

Keeping Up with The School School Website Newsletters Information That Comes Home PTO Meetings School Events Parent Portal Make sure the school knows you. All about relationships between home and school. Make school a priority, not just when there is a problem. WCS

Teachers and Principals Know who they are. What is best way to contact them? What is the best time? Keep in touch on a regular basis. Send short emails, notes, to keep them informed. Discuss the importance of knowing the teachers and principal. When you have questions or concerns, ask the teacher first. Keep track of dates of meetings, phone calls, emails, notes, work samples. Teachers want the best for your child and will work with you to help your child. WCS

How can I advocate for my child? Monitor your child’s performance Take advantage of resources for parents Take notes Talk with your child’s teachers Ask questions Keep calm, cool, and collected As parents, we can help our children in their journey by talking with them about their subjects. The brochure outlines some action steps for parents. Encourage your children to work hard and take the most challenging courses. Additionally, encourage your child to take advantage of resources and supports at school. Every school offers interventions, after-school programs, re-teaching opportunities and more. Monitor your child’s performance. Use Parent Portal to keep up with your child’s grades. Talk with your child’s teachers, school counselor, and principal. Find out how your child is doing and what you can do to help. WCS

Assistant Superintendent Advocacy Steps Superintendent Assistant Superintendent Principal Teacher WCS

Advocacy Scenarios Table Talk Discuss a scenario Brainstorm action steps Large Group – Film Clips – showing parent advocacy scenarios Set the context and share tips Scenario 1 – Parent walking into the principal’s office to talk about an issue Scenario 2 – Parent wants to know how her child is doing in school by asking questions during a parent/teacher conference WCS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDn9VV1Jmbs&feature=youtu.be WCS

Take a few minutes at your table to the discuss the scenario. Use the guided questions sheet for your table discussion. WCS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLvILbDsz0Q&feature=youtu.be WCS

Take a few minutes at your table to the discuss the scenario. Use the guided questions sheet for your table discussion. WCS

Organize your thoughts Cool, calm, collected Active listening Ask questions Do keep an open mind Visit the school, often Organize your thoughts Cool, calm, collected Active listening Take notes Encourage your child to respectfully speak up themselves Home School Share the ADVOCATE tips, that were developed by the Parent Advisory Council. Also share the other resources available in the packet. Questions parents can ask. WCS Advocacy brochure Who to contact page WCS

Parent Action Plan I have a concern… I will take these steps I would like my child to… I will take these steps to help my child… 3 Minutes Guide parents to the Parent Action Plan handout – which has three columns. I have a concern… (what is the issue?) I would like my child to…(what is the goal for my child?) I’ll take these steps to help my child…(what do I do as a parent to advocate for my child?) Walk parents through the first two examples… My child doesn’t seem to understand algebra and is failing the course. I have a meeting with a large team of teachers to discuss my child’s educational needs. Provide parents with 3-4 minutes to quietly write down a concern, goals for their child, and action steps. 10 Minutes Ask if anyone is willing to share a concern, goals for their child and discuss action steps to resolve the issue. As a group brainstorm other steps that the parent may consider. WCS

“Two Top Tips” Large Group - Two Top Tips – to summarize and bring the group back together. Each table share 2 top tips from their small group discussion, that will be helpful for other parents. WCS

“Teachers, no matter how dedicated or effective, cannot make sure your child leaves for school on time and does their homework when they get back at night. These are things only a parent can do. These are things that our parents must do.” - President Barack Obama We must work together. We all have dreams for our children. Together we have to help our children dream big and aim high. Yes, we are stretching our students to read and do math at advanced levels, take rigorous courses, and be better prepared for college and their future careers. WCS