Family Engagement Webinar: Focus on the Early Grades March 12, 2014 Bob Butts, OSPI Trise Moore, Federal Way School District Peter Finch & Ann Juarez, West Valley School District Julee Durham, United Way of Thurston Count Bea Kelleigh, Dovetailing Consulting

Introductions Bob Butts, Assistant Superintendent of Early Learning, OSPI Trise Moore, Director, Family and Community Partnerships, Federal Way School District Peter Finch, Assistant Superintendent, West Valley School District (Yakima) Ann Juarez, Program Coordinator, Parent-Child Home Program, West Valley School District (Yakima) Julee Durham, Director of Community Impact and Investment, United Way of Thurston County Bea Kelleigh, Dovetailing Consulting 2

Why are we gathered here today? Ready and Successful School Plan Family Engagement was one of the three top priorities Parent Involvement Coordinator Funding Was provided in the Operating Budget this biennium It makes a BIG difference for children… 3

Research indicates that when families are engaged in their student’s education, students do better in school and are more likely to succeed in these areas: Attend School Regularly Engage in learning and demonstrate the effort needed to practice and complete assignments in school and at home Complete required credits needed to excel and pass each grade level Graduate from high school with qualifications needed to be eligible to attend college Sources: Hill, 2009; Mapp, 2010; Jeynes, 2013; Bradshaw, 2009; Paredes, 2011; Fan 2010; Ingram,2007; Lepuschek,2009; Epstein, 2002; Crosnoe, 2009; Paredes, How do we KNOW it makes a difference?

Epstein’s Six Types of Involvement The Keys to Successful School, Family, and Community Partnerships Parenting Communicating Volunteering Learning at Home Decision Making Collaborating with the Community Source: School, Family, and Community Partnerships, 3 rd Edition, 2009, Corwin Press 5

In 2011, the Legislature revised the K–12 funding formula to be based on a “Prototypical School” (RCW 28A ) Included in the prototypical school are “Parent Involvement Coordinators” However, the current statute does not allocate Coordinator staffing However, the 2013 State Biennial Operating budget provided a small allocation for elementary school Parent Involvement Coordinators 6 Available funding for Family Engagement: Parent Involvement Coordinators

Origin of Parent Involvement Coordinators The idea of funding “Parent Involvement and Outreach Coordinators” was initially included in a study entitles: Washington Adequacy Funding Study published in January 2007 by David T. Conley. The study proposed: 1 FTE per building Coordinators would: Be responsible for activities to involve parents Work with parents to support their children Participate in home visits Find innovative ways to improve communication Conduct other related activities 7

Biennial Operating Budget: SB 5034, Section 502 (4) – 2013 Session No changes are proposed this session “Allocations for classified staff units …for the 2013–14 and 2014–15 school years are determined using the formula- generated staff unit provided in RCW 28A … except that the allocation for parent involvement coordinators in an elementary school shall be , which enhancement is within the program of basic education.” 4/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5034-S.SL.pdf 4/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5034-S.SL.pdf 8 Available funding for Family Engagement: Parent Involvement Coordinators

Parent Involvement Coordinator allocation for elementary schools Effective with the 2013 – 14 school year and beyond Is part of Basic Education: Funds will be available in future year Funding Model allocates.0825 funded unit for the Prototypical Elementary School A Prototypical Elementary School is based on 400 Full-time Equivalent (FTE) Students The Parent Involvement Coordinator funded units generate revenue based on EACH school district’s classified salary allocation (LEAP). This varies amongst school districts. Statewide, $5.3 million will be allocated this school year Districts can estimate the amount allocated in 2013 – 14 by multiplying the district enrollment by $5. 9

These funds are included in a district’s Basic Education Allocation As is the case with all of the components in the BEA, school districts are NOT required to use the funds for Parent Involvement Coordinators In addition, districts have discretion in how the funds are utilized for Parent/Family Engagement However, actual staffing for Parent Involvement Coordinators will be reported in the District Allocation of State Resources Portal 10 Available funding for Family Engagement: Parent Involvement Coordinators

May use LAP funds for outreach activities/support for parents of participating students to increase academic achievement. RCW 28A (f) The 2013 Legislature allowed up to 5% of the state’s Learning Assistance Program funding to be used in the development of partnerships with Community-based organizations, ESD’s, and other local agencies Funds may be used to: Deliver supports to participating students who are significant at risk of not being successful in school Reduce barriers to learning Increase student engagement Enhance students’ readiness to learn Source: OSPI Bulletin B Available funding for Family Engagement: Learning Assistance Program

School Districts MUST set aside 1% of Title I, Part A funds if district receives $500,000 or a greater allocation and at least 95% of the 1% must be allocated to school buildings. Districts MAY set-aside any specific amount for parent involvement activities. Funding must follow Title I, Part A compliance with Parent Involvement Section 1118 of ESEA.Section Available funding for Family Engagement: Federal Title I, Part A

WaKIDS: Family Connection The “Family Connection” is one of three components of the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) Kindergarten teachers meet with families/child for approximately 30 minutes at the beginning of the school year Schools may use up to 3 days of the 180-day school year for this purpose. No need to get a waiver 13

Family Engagement Promising Practices Family Engagement Coordinator – Rochester School District, Julee Durham Family Liaisons – Federal Way School District, Trise Moore Parent Child Program – Ann Juarez and Peter Finch, West Valley School District (Yakima) 14

Right from the Start Rochester Primary School South Thurston County Supporting parents in the healthy development and school readiness of their children and connecting families to school well before children turn five. School based, staffed resource center for parents Bilingual site coordinator Outreach, support and referrals Information and classes including Ready! For Kindergarten Story Time Parents As Teachers groups Family events and outings Early intervention and connections to school Collaboration with community partners 15

Right from the Start Rochester Primary School South Thurston County Successes Since December families, 1,200 referrals 80% “ Kindergarten Roundup” participation WA Kids scores exceed similar neighboring districts Rochester Teacher Perception Survey results exceed County results Staffed by United Way Total annual cost about $80,000 Grant and donor funded 16

What Do They Do? Inform, prepare and engage parents as partners and work with staff and families to help coordinate and facilitate workshops, trainings, and partnership activities linked to and focused on promoting student success. 17 Family Liaisons Federal Way School District

How Do They Do It? Family Liaisons help staff and parents develop partnership strategies that help improve student achievement levels during School Improvement Team meetings, Parent Workshops, SLC’s, Open House and in various locations throughout the community. 18

Family Liaisons Federal Way School District How Do They Do It? (continued) They work with the Principal, Staff and Parents to identify and support effective partnership processes that already exist within the school and also help implement research-based family engagement strategies that go beyond traditional approaches. Family Liaisons support connections with all families while measuring impact on student outcomes aligned with particular emphasis on effective p–3 early learning partnerships and 5–6 th grade transition. 19

Family Liaisons Federal Way School District Specific ‘early learning’ application FWPS Family Liaison’s support staff with: Making connections linked to WaKIDS requirements Scheduling and coordinating school tours for pre-school families to visit schools Are on our Dynamic Home Visits Family & Community Partnership Office family engagement team 20

West Valley—Yakima Parent Child Home Program

West Valley—Yakima

Possible Next Steps What might be the next step for your school district? Determine how the Parent Involvement Coordinator allocation were used this school year Figure out how the allocation is planned to be used in 2014–15 Does your Title I director know about these funds? Get it on the agenda of your: School Board School District Executive Team Principals 23

Resources Available at: Frameworks and Models National Network of Partnership Schools Harvard Family Research Project Family Involvement Resources Effective Family Engagement Principles Federal Way School District Family & Community Partnerships Office of the Education Ombuds: School Family Partnerships. Research and Impact A New Wave of Evidence Reframing Family Involvement in Education Studies on the Achievement Gap Practice and Strategy Engaged Parents and SUCCESSFUL Students Family Involvement in Elementary School Children’s Education Families Know Best Why Do Parents Become Involved? Beyond the Bake Sale Involvement or Engagement? Flamboyan Foundation 24

Questions and Answers 25

Addresses Bob Butts, Assistant Superintendent of Early Learning, OSPI Trise Moore, Director, Family and Community Partnerships, Federal Way School District Peter Finch, Assistant Superintendent, West Valley School District (Yakima) Ann Juarez, Program Coordinator, Parent-Child Home Program, West Valley School District (Yakima) Julee Durham, Director of Community Impact and Investment, United Way of Thurston County Bea Kelleigh, Dovetailing Consulting 26

27 Thank you.