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Get
a copy of your state’s Title I Plan (most likely found
on your state’s department of education website, or contact
your state Title I office). |
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Find
out who were the members of the team that created the Title
I Plan. |
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Ensure
that your state’s plan was created and developed with
the assistance of parents and that it truly indicates how each
level of the state school system will support parent involvement. |
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Find
out who the members of your state committee of practitioners
are and who the members of your school support team for Title
I schools. Ensure that these people are aware of the latest
research on Parent Involvement and are committed to actively
implementing the latest techniques and programs in your schools. |
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Work
with the SEA to develop parental involvement policies that include
linking schools and education to community endeavors and advocacy,
even though NCLB does not require it. |
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Ask
to serve on the state peer-review committee that reviews Title
I plans prior to their submission to the US secretary of education. |
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Be
a partner with the state and local school districts in developing
the applications that satisfy the requirements of the various
programs in NCLB including Title I. It should be a matter of
habit that community members/groups and community based organizations
be part of the application development, even when not specified
in the law. |
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Community
members should request representation on planning committees
and to be partners in the planning process. They can provide
community support to monitor the school accountability requirements;
offer reading, literacy, and other instructional services and
support; disseminate data and information; refer students and
families to health, preschool, social, and before- and after-school
services; strengthen education ties with community volunteers;
and offer professional development focused on helping teachers
and parents work together more effectively. |
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Community
members/groups should request to be on the state school support
team, AND the local school support teams that are organized
to provide planning, evaluation, coordination, and service support
for schools identified as needing improvements, restructuring
or corrective action. |
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Determine who represents the community in the SEA and LEA planning processes. Ask about strategies to engage the community in supporting student success and hold LEAs and schools accountable for student success. |
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Provide professional development to help teachers and principals work with parents and community leaders. |
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Make
resources available to support expanded educational services
for students needing the most help. |
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Develop
your own plan to provide educational services under the Supplemental
Educational Services provisions. |
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Ask
to be part of the team of community representatives and parents
evaluating state performance regarding school/community links
and parental involvement. This information should be part of
the annual SEA review sent to the US secretary of education. |
