Family and Community Involvement • thrive • Rhode Island's Coordinated School Health Program


	Why should I care about Family & Community Involvement in schools? What are Rhode Island's State requirements for Family & Community Involvement in schools? What are some the best practices for schools around Family & Community Involvement? What data are available on Family & Community Involvement in Rhode Island schools? I'm a parent... Where do I go for parent information and resources about Family & Community Involvement in schools? I'm a teacher or school administrator... What resources and tools for schools are available on Family and Community Involvement? Whom do I contact for more information? Why should I care about Family and Community Involvement in schools? Schools, parent, and the community should work together to promote the health, well-being and learning of all students. When schools actively involve parents and engage community resources they are able to respond more effectively to the health-related needs of students. Family and community involvement fosters partnerships among schools, families, community groups and individuals. These partnerships result in sharing and maximizing resources. And they help children and youth develop healthy behaviors and promote healthy families. Research shows that students whose parents are involved in their education are more likely to: Earn higher grades and test scores Complete homework more consistently Attend school more regularly Have better social skills, Show improved behavior Adapt well to school Have higher self-esteem Have better relationships with their parents Graduate and go on to college Additionally, linking community activities to the classroom: Positively impacts academic achievement Reduces school suspension rates Improves school-related behaviors back to questions What are Rhode Island's requirements for Family and Community Involvement in schools? Rhode Island Public Law 05-074/05-076 mandates that school districts involve families and communities in school health and wellness. Specifically, the law requires that every school committee establish a health and wellness subcommittee to address the health and well-being of students and school employees. This subcommittee is charged with developing school wellness policies, strategies and implementation plans. A member of the school committee must chair the subcommittee. A majority of the subcommittee members must not be employed by the school district, and the committee must include at least one parent. (See Sec. 2.10-2.14 of the Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs. Also see the District Health and Wellness Subcommittee page for more information and resources). What are some the best practices for schools around Family and Community Involvement? Effective parent involvement programs include activities that are addressed by the following National PTA Parent and Community Standards: Communicating—Communication between home and school is regular, two-way, and meaningful. Parenting—Parenting skills are promoted and supported. Student learning—Parents play an integral role in assisting student learning. Volunteering—Parents are welcome in the school, and their support and assistance are sought. School decision making and advocacy—Parents are full partners in the decisions that affect children and families. Collaborating with community—Community resources are used to strengthen schools, families, and student learning. back to questions What data are available on Family and Community Involvement in Rhode Island schools? Quick Facts According to the 2006-07 SALT Survey: 47% of parents of elementary school students report that their school contacts them if their child does something well or improves. Those percentages drop to 32% for parents of middle school students and 30% for parents of high school students. 75% of parents of elementary school students, 61% of parents of middle school students, and 53% of parents of high school students report that their school responds to their concerns and requests within a reasonable time. 54% of elementary school teachers report that parents and community are supportive of the school. 33% of middle school teachers and 30% of high school teachers report that they feel that way. 93% of elementary school teachers, 87% of middle school teachers, and 77% of high school teachers report that they maintain positive relationships with students' parents. More Data The School Accountability for Learning and Teaching (SALT) parent, teacher and student surveys all include data on family involvement in schools. Statewide summaries are availabble for elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. For school-level data on family engagement, click on School Report Cards, search for a school, and click on the “Engaging Families & Community” chart link. For more detailed school-level data, click on SALT Survey Reports, search for a school, select a year, select "Parent Reports," "Student Reports" or "Staff Reports" and then click on one of the Family Involvement charts. back to questions I'm a parent ... Where do I go for parent information and resources about Family and Community Involvement in schools? RI Department of Education - Office of Progressive Support & Intervention (PSI) PSI Engage Families Framework/Toolkits provide information and resources for parents and families. ParentLinkRI This website provides links on health and family issues for parents and teens throughout Rhode Island. It is sponsored by the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Rhode Island Department of Health in partnership with the Rhode Island Communications Coalition. Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) This is a statewide, nonprofit agency that provides information, training, support, and advocacy to parents seeking help for their children. Rhode Island KIDS COUNT This is a children’s policy and advocacy organization that provides information on child well-being, stimulates dialogue on children’s issues, and promotes accountability and action. What Can I Do To Involve Myself With My Child's School? This document from KidSource gives practical tips and suggestions for parents. National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs These programs are developed by the National PTA in collaboration with parent involvement researchers and other national leaders. National Education Association - Getting Involved in Your Child’s Education This is a guide developed to help parents and communities become more involved in their children’s education. When parents are involved in their children's education, kids do better in school. Learn how to help your child achieve and succeed. The National PTA This is a resource for parents that offers useful information to many thousands of parents just like you. PTA provides the resources and support you need to stay involved in the life of your child every day. Family Involvement Network of Educators (FINE) This is a Harvard Family Research Project national network of over 5,000 people interested in promoting strong partnerships between children's educators, their families, and their communities. RI Child Opportunity Zones (COZ) COZ Family Centers bring schools, families, and communities together to promote success in school for all children. National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education advocates the involvement of parents and families in their children's education, and fosters relationships between home, school, and community to enhance the education of all our nation's young people. back to questions I'm a teacher or school administrator... What resources or tools for schools are available on Family and Community Involvement? RI Department of Education - Office of Progressive Support & Intervention (PSI) PSI Framework Toolkits: The tools on the Support and Intervention site match the frameworks (functions) outlined in the district strategic plan guidance. They span the country and even the globe and are searchable by function or keyword. We hope they help you better assess, implement and measure your plans and programs. *Fostering School, Family, and Community Involvement* This guidebook by Howard Adelman, Ph.D. and Linda Taylor, Ph.D. is one of a series published by the Hamilton Fish Institute on School and Community Violence and the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL) that are intended to assist schools and school districts in developing safe learning environments. This guidebook provides an overview of the nature and scope of collaboration, explores barriers to effectively working together, and discusses the processes of establishing and sustaining the work. It also reviews the state of the art of collaboration around the country, the importance of data, and some issues related to sharing information. Promising Partnership Practices National Network of Partnership Schools 2005 practices of school, family, and community partnerships that support students from preschool through high school to achieve academic success and lifelong well-being. Reaching Out to Diverse Populations:What Can Schools Do to Foster Family-School Connections? Strategy Brief of the National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools Measure of School, Family, and Community Partnerships This is instrument designed to measure how schools are reaching out to involve parents, community members, and students in a meaningful manner. Annie E. Casey Foundation's Family and Community Involvement This website includes information, resources and tools to help empower families, copmmunities and schools to work in partnership with one another. U.S. Department of Education's Family Involvement in Children's Education This publication presents ideas for successful implementation of family involvement programs on the local level. Profiles of six schools from different parts of the country, two parent centers, and a school district illustrate how schools are encouraging family involvement in the schools and breaking down existing barriers. National Network of Partnership Schools at John Hopkins University This network brings together schools, districts, and states that are committed to developing and maintaining comprehensive programs of school-family-community partnerships Family Friendly Schools This website is dedicated to helping schools and districts around the country to increase student achievement by developing networks of integrated relationships between leadership, staff, and families that creates a culture of high performance and learning outcomes. How Can Schools Support Family Involvement In Education? This document from KidSource provides some basic tips for schools to help get families involved. back to questions Whom do I contact for more information? Midge Sabatini, Ed.D. Manager, Coordinated School Health Program Rhode Island Department of Education 401-222-8952 Midge.Sabatini@ride.ri.gov Jan Shedd Chief, Office for Family, Youth & School Success Rhode Island Department of Health 401-222-5927 jan.shedd@health.ri.gov back to questions

What data are available on Family and Community Involvement in Rhode Island schools?

I'm a parent ... Where do I go for parent information and resources about Family and Community Involvement in schools?