Family and Community Engagement in Providence Schools

Presentation to Providence School BoardMay 27, 2014

Overview

Share Information about the • Office of Family and Community Engagement• “New” revised Family Engagement Vision and Core Values• Policy update - Parent Involvement Policy and Volunteer Policy• Performance measures on Parent Engagement activities in the

district• Family Resources Center• Parent Advisory Council (PAC)• Ombudsperson

Highlight ways the Office plans to elevate and improve practices of family and community engagement at the district and school level

Family Engagement

What does it mean?Family Engagement is any way

that a child’s adult caretaker (biological parents, foster parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.) effectively supports learning and healthy development

What does it look like? Supporting Learning School partnerships Advocate for school

improvement Decision-maker and

leadership

Concept/Theory

Shared Responsibility

Responsive

Multidemensial

Comprehensive

Dr. Joyce Epstein…..students have families………..

Students come from many different family structures……..However configured, however

constrained, families come with their children to school. Even when they do not come in person,

families come in children’s minds and hearts and in their hopes and dreams. They come with the children's problems and promise. With out

exception, teachers and administrators have explicit or implicit contact with their student’s families every

day.

By: Joyce L. Epstein -Second Edition - School, Family and Community Partnerships, pg 4-5

FACE Vision and Mission Statements

VisionFamily engagement successfully builds positive and respectful relationships between schools, families and community partners through shared responsibility, meaningful engagement, thoughtful decision-making, and effective communication in order to provide every student with a quality education that prepares him/her for college, career and life.

MissionTo support student achievement through the implementation of strong family and community engagement strategies that ensure that all families are informed, involved and empowered.

Core ValuesAligned to the district core values –Respect, Equity, Excellence, Accountability and Appreciation for our diversity

FACE Organizational Structure

FACE Responsibilities

Monitor district-wide engagement Review and Revise Board Policy on Parent

Engagement NCLB “Parental Engagement” compliance Parent Resource Center District Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Parent workshops and conferences Parent and Community meetings Community Collaborations Technical assistance to schools and central

administration departments on family engagement Facilitate conversations between parents, teachers

and school principals to address concerns Support families facing homelessness

District-wide Engagement

Functions Provide supports to schools

for family engagement efforts

Monitor and analyze school-based family engagement activities: - 80 Academic - 99 Social - 70 Parent support

Work with T&L to integrate classroom instruction with school parent engagement activities to support student achievement

Performance Measures School-based family events (Aug-Apr)

Innovation Schools 55 total events Attendance ranges 3,500 people

Acceleration Zone 102 total events Attendance ranges 6,800 people

Advancement Zone 87 total events Attendance ranges 3,700 people

Parent groups 25 schools with structured parent

groups

Parent volunteers 125 application across all grade levels

Culture and Climate Survey (under review)

February 2014 - over 3,000 responses

Parent Resource Center

Function Provide resources to families

(flyers, brochures, newsletters, tips, pamphlets, booklets, etc.)

Access to desktop computers and laptops

Ombudsperson - facilitate resolution to concerns

Provide homeless students with resources and supports

Meeting space for workshops, Professional Development and group meetings

Rosetta Stone program to assist parents improve English language skills

Performance Measures(as of first of May)

400 + FACE staff school site visits for technical assistance

Family visits/inquiries 500 walk-ins Approx. 2,600 telephone

inquiries 117 parents have received

assistance with a concern(s) 211 homeless families provided

supports/resources 230 families currently

participating in Rosetta Stone 15 parents completed a

leadership training facilitated by RIPIN

District Parent Advisory Council - PAC

Ensure authentic parent engagement throughout district

Act as advisory body to district Advocate for other parents Facilitate best practices Work toward a full membership

representative of every school

PAC VISION

•Access and Accountability

•Communication

•Transparency

•Students

PAC STRUCTURE

Leadership

Composition

Governance

PAC PROJECTS2013-2014 Family Impact Assessment Tool for decision making & a PAC Facebook page2012-2013 Parent Engagement Protocols for schools2010-2011 ARRA Stimulus Funding

Parent zones in every school Enhance resources of district parent

center PTO Handbook

Parent and Community Learning Opportunities

Workshops on Parent Engagement by FACE staff in schools and hosted in the community

Kindergarten Enrollment and Middle School Choice Seminars

Parent Leadership Development Training by (RIPIN)

High Schools Graduation Sessions

Rosetta Stone Program

Parent and Community Events

October – Fall Celebration - Anti Bullying Month - PCTA outside field

Saturday, October 19, 2013 300 families 26 Community Resource Exhibits

Dr. Karen Mapp – National Speaker visit to Providence at CCRI Providence Campus 125 participants (PPSD

Principals, Central Office staff, RIDE, Community Partners, Parents)

Annual Parent Conference Saturday, May 17, 2014 @ PCTA from 8:30pm – 3:00pm 16 Workshops Offered 16 Community Resource Exhibits

Community Meetings and Strengthening Partnerships

Function Back To School Celebration

sites in Providence

Coordinate opportunities for parents to voice concerns, issues, recommendations and celebrations

Co-host community meetings with outside agencies to strengthen partnerships, disseminate information and solicit feedback

Back to School Celebration (August 2013) (site coordinator at the Student Registration Center) = 6 sites in Providence

Providence Housing Authority - Resident Service Coordinators (February-March)Kindergarten Registration and Parent Engagement workshops (Chadbrown, Hartford and Manton Heights site visits)

College Crusade (April 2014)FACE collaboration to help inform parents of programs and service

Parent Recognition Event (June 17, 2014) – PAC, Leadership program and Rosetta Stone students

Scaling-up Family and Community Engagement

Cross reference district Parent Engagement practices with the District Parent Involvement Policy and ensure successful implementation with regular exploration of innovative practices

Utilize the USDOE Dual Capacity Framework for Family School Partnerships released in April 2014

Promote shared responsibility for systemic family and community engagement practices aligned with school improvement plans

Reinforce district and school capacity around family engagement

Work with schools to make sure school meetings, activities and events are linked to learning

Emphasize the benefit of communicating student data, in understandable language and format

Sharing strategies that create more equitable practices for family engagement and involvement with regard to student learning

Resources and Tools

Family-School Partnerships: National Standards for Family School Partnerships:http://www.pta.org/national standards.asp

National PIRC Coordination Center:http://www.nationalpirc.org/

Henderson, T.,Mapp, K., Johnson, V., Davies, d. (2007) Beyond the Bake Sale: The Essential Guide to Family-School Partnerships.

Weiss, H., Lopez, E., Rosenberg, H. (2010) Harvard Family Research Project. Beyond random acts: Family, school, and community engagement as an integral part of education reform.

QUESTIONS?