2007 Institute for School Improvement and Education Options

How the System How the System Might Address Might Address Parental Parental InvolvementInvolvement

PanelistsPanelists

• Kate Kressley, RMC Research and CIIKate Kressley, RMC Research and CII• Eva Patrikakou, CIIEva Patrikakou, CII• Reatha Owen, CIIReatha Owen, CII

S O L I DParents are part of the solution for improved student learning

FoundationStrategies to fit your school’s purpose and plan

Building a Solid FoundationBuilding a Solid Foundation

Parents are an essential

part of the solution

for improved student learning.

Why is Parent Involvement Important?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 outcomesParent involvement is associated with preventing risky behaviors and reducing juvenile delinquency

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 Involvement Juvenile 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% 5 11.3% 83.1% 6 8.7% 82.6%________________________________________________________________________

Juvenile Delinquency and High School Completion

Rates by Parent Involvement Rating

Title I

Safe & Drug-Free Schools

After-School Programs

English Language Acquisition

Special Education

Parent Involvement and Learning Parent Involvement and Learning Requirements in Federal Education Requirements in Federal Education Programs Programs

No Child Left Behind and Parent No Child Left Behind and Parent Involvement MandatesInvolvement Mandates

School-Parent Compact District Policy School Policy Report Cards Parent Choice State Review Home-School Communication

How well are we doing in How well are we doing in meeting these mandates?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

Why Solid Why Solid Foundation?Foundation?

in helping schools assess their needs and plan parent involvement targeted to student learning.

Because it works…

Solid Foundation: An evidence-based foundation

• Strengthen family-school connections

• Engage parents in children’s learning

• Improve student academic and social

learning

Solid Foundation is Solid Foundation is designed to:designed to:

Why Solid Foundation?Why Solid Foundation?

With Solid Foundation, the connection between parents and their children’s learning is not left

to chance.

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 An Evidence-based FoundationFoundation

Solid Foundation Effectiveness Solid Foundation Effectiveness StudyStudy

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

Solid Foundation’s HistorySolid 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.

What is Solid Foundation?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.

Features of Solid Features of Solid FoundationFoundation

Step by Step Approach

Web-Based System

Flexible Options

Site-Based Decision Making

Self-Sustaining Methods

Quality Resources

External Partner Support

Solid Foundation FlowchartSolid Foundation Flowchart

Center on Innovation & Improvement

Regional Comprehensive Center

State Education Agency

External Partner School –Based Team

Local Education Agency

Two-Year CycleTwo-Year Cycle

Assess Plan

Implement

Who is responsible for this Who is responsible for this process?process?

The principal and the school team guide the Solid Foundation process.

What is a school team?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.

What is an external partner?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.

Who can be partnering Who can be partnering organization?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

What kinds of assistance does the What kinds of assistance does the external partner provide?external partner provide?

Orient the school team Assist the team with assessment and

planning Build capacity with training and

assistance Monitor progress

Sample TimelineSample Timeline

Solid Foundation – Phase 1

OrientationMeeting

Complete SchoolInformation

Form

Complete Policy Analysis

CompleteSchool

CommunitySurvey

CompleteNeeds

Assessment

CreateAction

Plan

Solid Foundation – Phase 2

ImplementAction Plan

Monitor Progress Evaluate Progress and Repeat Solid Foundation Process

Solid Foundation Web PageSolid Foundation Web Page

10 Efficient Steps for a Strong 10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School CommunitySchool 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

10 Efficient Steps for a Strong 10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School CommunitySchool 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

Sample Compact Sample Compact AnalysisAnalysis

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 10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School CommunitySchool Community

Resource Manual - TOCResource Manual - TOC

Resource Manual - Samples

10 Efficient Steps for a Strong 10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School CommunitySchool 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

10 Efficient Steps for a Strong 10 Efficient Steps for a Strong School CommunitySchool 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.

“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

Contact InformationContact Information

www.families-schools.org

Reatha OwenCenter on Innovation & Improvement121 North KickapooLincoln, IL 626561-800-759-1495 ext. 17

Kate Gill KressleyRMC Research1000 Market Street, Bldg 2Portsmouth, NH 038011-800-258-0802