Action Opportunities for Parent Leaders

For NCLB public school choice to be meaningful, it is critical that the following elements be reflected in both the school district and the individual Title I parent involvement policies:

•
 Parents collaborate with community based organizations to be involved in the development of the choice plan;
•
 Parent leaders assure that parents receive information in a timely fashion about the school choice options that they have;
•
 Parent organizations work with the school in developing communications with parents in languages and formats parents can understand; and
•
 Community and parent leaders open channels of communications so that they are equipped with the information they need to provide support to parents in Title I schools that are identified as low performing, corrective action or restructuring schools or districts.

It is critical that parent leaders be informed about the NCLB choice provisions; the number of schools identified as being in the public school choice program; the elements of the school district policy regarding fairness and equitability; and assuring that parents are getting the support they need to fully understand their choice option and the instructional consequences.

Action opportunities for parent leaders: