STRENGTHEN YOUR FAMILY-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Research confirms that when parents are engaged and involved, students’ academic performance increases. This happens by design, not by accident. Learn how to “jump start” your school’s parent involvement and use it as a resource for students and teachers. The Conference provides a practical framework for program planning and ready-to-use resources.

Sample breakout sessions may include:

Reaching Out to Under-Involved Parents in a Family Friendly School

Research shows that what schools do to reach out and lower barriers to greater participation and help parents take active roles in their children’s education is crucial to establishing effective home-school partnerships. Learn how to build relationships in culturally and linguistically diverse communities, implement successful outreach strategies, and plan practical activities that connect parents to school improvement efforts.

Preparing Parents to Take Leadership Roles

Parent Leadership includes parents participating on Action Teams, as PTA/parent organization leaders, School Site Council and English Learners Advisory Committee members, room parents/volunteers to help teachers, and reaching out to involve other parents. Learn successful strategies to lower barriers to greater participation and help parents build leadership skills. You will receive ready-to-use materials to conduct trainings at your school.

Know Where to Look: Finding Funds to Support Your Partnership Programs

Partnership activities require time, energy, and usually some funding/resources in order to be successful. There are funds and resources if you know where and how to look for them. Learn how to tap resources in your local community and how to go after grant opportunities. You will also get tips on how to do “follow up” with your funders to ensure that they are properly recognized for their support.

Getting Started at the Elementary School Level

Learn strategies for planning innovative partnership programs that involve the whole school community. You will receive “start up” materials for implementing a “Family Friday” literacy activity, “Dads Clubs”, and special “Mother-Daughter/Mother-Son” activities. Also, learn the “value added” concept for enriching your current partnership activities.

Getting Started at Secondary School Levels

Partnership programs at secondary schools can be challenging to establish and sustain. Learn how to successfully involve school staff, parents, students, and community members to develop relationships and activities that support student learning and the work of the school. Practical (staff and parent) outreach strategies and programs that support academic achievement will be shared.