PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

on School, Family and Community Partnerships
Los Angeles Unified School District - First Conference
July 29-30, 2004

COMMENTS FROM PRINCIPALS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, DISTRICT STAFF:

(I liked) sharing with others regarding parent involvement ideas. Great practical ideas (were) provided. Excellent workshops (breakouts).

(I would like to see) more breakout sessions. The two I attended were excellent!

Thank you for the excellent information…, the sharing of homework, (and) the breakout sessions.

(I liked) the opportunity to meet and discuss the important issues with parents, coordinators and administrators.

I … appreciate the group work and presentation in the afternoon! The sharing of the homework inside the groups and in public was what I like(d) most.

I like the materials and strategies that were shared.

You handled the language barrier very well.

Everything was important because I share with my parents in the school and community.

Excellent!!

COMMENTS FROM TEACHERS:

(I liked the) “Ideas” about bringing parents-teachers together. (It would be good to) invite (classroom) teachers to hear and participate in (a discussion about) ways of collaborating with teachers.

Both days were informative. However, the first day was perhaps a little overwhelming with the theory. It could have been a little more practice based. The second day was excellent.

COMMENTS FROM PARENTS / COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES:

The conference was very enlightening, uplifting and informative. I would have no hesitation in attending again. I do however feel that allowing people to vent their frustration at a conference such as this takes up too much time.

All info was great. (We) should have more workshops like this on parent involvement.

The material has been useful and informative to me and I will share the materials with my parents. The presenter did a great job!!!

All of the presenters were excellent. The two days were very well planned and presented. I will use all of the information as I present to the parents in Local District 3. Thank you so much all of LAUSD specially funded staff for seeing that we needed such wonderful days.

I liked the research information, the written material (in English/Spanish), the quests and of course the food.

Very good. This information is very helpful to me and it will be shared at my school with the parents and community volunteers. This conference has provided me with a lot more confidence to go forward.

Comments from E.L. Coordinators / Tile I Coordinators:

(The) presenter was interesting and enthusiastic. Pacing was just right. Implementation is always a problem and more tools are needed to assist with implementation of parent involvement plans. Do you have sample(s) of viable plans? Good information and it will be shared and used.

(I) liked the resources and handbooks. (I) liked the time to discuss and collaborate about ideas. (I) liked the handouts and ideas. To improve: too large of a group. Time limits necessary for speakers (norms established at the beginning).

(This is an) excellent training. (It provided) time to focus on strategies to involve parents. Good handouts – very original and practical. Two days of relevant information presented in a well-organized manner and in a pleasant environment. Thank you!

(I liked the) suggestions/ideas on parental involvement activities. (The) Seven keys to Parental Involvement (handout is a) wonderful tool for organizing and goal setting.

The general information provided on Day 1 was very good and helpful. Day 2 was extremely effective with numerous hands-on activities to increase and improve parent involvement.

(I would like to obtain) more information of the program “Supporting Literacy for High Schools,” “Putting Parents in the Picture” and “Parents Boot Camp.” We need programs to help parents (overcome the) lack of training.

What I liked the most was the participation of the audience. They gave out informative ideas that were helpful. I like the way the instructor took time to explain each phase of her presentation. I would like to see that somehow we could get more time to have another workshop to go to. Information needed for parents mostly, also community reps.

(I liked) the various resources and examples of activities.

The “Getting Started at the High School Level” was outstanding! Inspirational even. It gave me and my team many excellent strategies to incorporate.

Thank you. The conference and presenters were excellent. I especially enjoyed the main presenter (Miss Preston). Suggestion: A time limit on audience member speeches. Breakout sessions were well planned.

The best part was how kindly and respectfully we were treated. The information was very useful.

General Comments (No role identified):

I liked the fact that you shared the research in such a concise and clear way. The Defense Department Schools tape and discussion was great. What are the follow up plans? There are school staff who (are) committed to this work, yet are not likely to take actions without follow up. Those follow up plans should be discussed so that people know they will be held accountable.

The materials you have given us are great.

(I liked the) idea sharing (with) other school participants.

The sessions were very informative and helpful. I will take information back to my school.