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
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What are Rhode Island's requirements for Family and Community Involvement in schools?
Involvement in Health Issues
Every school district is required to have a District Health & Wellness Subcommittee focused on the health and wellness of students and school staff (RIPL Chapter 05-074/05-076). That Subcommittee is charged with making recommendations to the full school committee on nutrition, physical activity, health education and physical education. Strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of students and staff should also be incorporated into the district’s strategic plan. (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).
General Involvement in Schools
Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is a federal effort to improve the academic achievement of all students, particularly those living in poverty and those who are at risk of not meeting performance standards. Schools participating in Title I are required to have specific programs, activities and procedures for involving parents. The RI Department of Education has resources and guidance on Title I parent involvement efforts.
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 PTA National Standards for Family-School Partnerships:
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Standard 1: Welcoming all families into the school community—Families are active participants in the life of the school, and feel welcomed, valued, and connected to each other, to school staff, and to what students are learning and doing in class.
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Standard 2: Communicating effectively—Families and school staff engage in regular, meaningful communication about student learning.
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Standard 3: Supporting student success—Families and school staff continuously collaborate to support students’ learning and healthy development both at home and at school, and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills to do so effectively.
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Standard 4: Speaking up for every child—Families are empowered to be advocates for their own and other children, to ensure that students are treated fairly and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success.
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Standard 5: Sharing power—Families and school staff are equal partners in decisions that affect children and families and together inform, influence, and create policies, practices, and programs.
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Standard 6: Collaborating with community—Families and school staff collaborate with community members to connect students, families, and staff to expanded learning opportunities, community services, and civic participation.
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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.
I'm a parent ... Where do I go for parent information and resources about Family and Community Involvement in schools?
RI Department of Education - Family Engagement Toolkits
These toolkits provide information and resources on parent invovlement with schools.
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.
PTA's National Standards for Family/School Partnerships
These standards address what parents, schools, and communities can do together to support student success.
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.
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I'm a teacher or school administrator... What resources or tools for schools are available on Family and Community Involvement?
thrive report
The September '07 thrive report focuses on Family Involvement.
RI Department of Education - Engaging Families Toolkits
These toolkits from around the country are searchable by function or keyword. They are meant to help assess, implement and measure 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.
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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
Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, Ed.D.
Program Manager, Initiative for Healthy Youth
Rhode Island Department of Health
401-222-5922
Rosemary.Reilly-Chammat@health.ri.gov
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