United We StandCreating Partnerships with Families

The Chatter BoxNovember 9, 2009

Fanita L. McNeal, NBCT

Welcome

•Famous Pairs

•Pair Share

Together We Can Involving parents in the education of their children results

in increased student performance at ALL grade levels, regardless of educational background or social class.

Lines of communication between home and school are open.

Parents feel supported in their attempt to help their children in home-learning activities.

The importance of building strong partnerships is highly valued.

True or FalseThe greatest predicator of student achievement is family

income.

When families are involved in their children’s school, they give the school and the teacher higher ratings.

As students progress through school, the involvement of their parents decrease.

Conducting home visits is appropriate only at the early childhood level.

Subgroups of Parents• Two-career parents

• Involved parents

• Non-working and uninvolved parents

• Surrogate parents

• Immigrant parents

• Parents working two jobs

• Single parents

• Parents who are unavailable(students are the parent)

• “Crazy makers”

Building PartnershipsCreate emotional safety for parents.

Flexible meeting format.

Encourage students to come with parents.

Use the adult voice. Be understanding but firm.

Be personally strong.

Use casual register only when appropriate and sincere.

Consider home visits with a partner or team.

Use videos to provide information.

Barriers to InvolvementTime and economic constraints

Negative attitudes toward school

Parents’ Educational levels and abilities

Language Barriers

The family system

Types of Parent Involvement1. Parenting Emphasize child development and

establishing home conditions conducive to learning.

2. Communicating Establish two-way communication between school and home.

3. Volunteering Arrange activities and schedules so that families can be involved as audiences and volunteers.

4. Learning at Home Design interactive at-home learning activities and help parents understand how to assist their child’s learning

5. Decision Making Encourage participation on committees and parent organizations where decision making and advocacy takes place.

6.Collaborating with the Community

Coordinate resources and services for families and encourage the involvement of businesses and agencies to support schools, students and their families.

Create an “Infomercial”

•Work at your table to create a 1 minute skit, commercial, poster or flyer promoting family partnerships using one of the six parental involvement types.

Resources

Together We Can: Uniting Families, Schools and Communities to Help ALL Children Learn by

Dr. Kathy H. Barclay

Under-Resourced Learners: 8 Strategies to Boost Student Achievement by Dr. Ruby K. Payne

Upcoming Events

Meetings:

December 14, 2009 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

January 11, 2010 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Chatter Box Assignment

•Join our wiki page at: http://thechatterboxnetwork@wikispaces.com

•Post to the discussion board ways you create partnerships with your parents and how it’s had a positive effect on your students.

•Respond to two people on the discussion board regarding their post. -Happy Chatting!