HE‘E proposed Parent Involvement & Parent Engagement Definitions
Involved Parents follow directions of the school administration by doing the things educators ask or expect them to do – volunteering at school, parenting in positive ways, and supporting and assisting their children at home with their schoolwork – while knowledge, voice and decision-making continue to rest with the educators.
Parent Engagement is defined as a partnership between the school and families with a mutual commitment to:
• Build and maintain trusting relationships characterized by openness, integrity, respect, a welcoming environment, and two-way communication.
• Promote shared responsibility for decision making, student academic performance, and school improvement.
• Act collaboratively as informed advocates for all children by modeling the values, culture and priorities adopted in the school’s academic and financial plan.
PARENT/FAMILY INVOLVEMENT POLICY (2403)(Approved: 05/03/01; Revised: 09/18/03)
The Board of Education recognizes that a child’s education is a responsibility shared by the school and the family during the entire period the child spends in school. To support the goal of the Department of Education (Department) to educate all students effectively, schools and parents must work as knowledgeable partners.
Although parents are diverse in culture, language, and needs, they share the schools’ commitment in the educational success of their children. The Department and its schools, in collaboration with parents, shall establish programs and practices that enhance parent involvement and reflect the specific needs of students and their families.
To this end, the Board of Education supports the Department in the development, implementation, and regular evaluation of parent involvement programs in each school. The implementation will involve parents at all grade levels in a variety of roles, including input in decision-making processes and practices. The parent involvement program will be comprehensive and coordinated in nature. It will include, but not be limited to, the following components of successful parent involvement programs:
● Communication between home and school is regular, two-way, and meaningful.
● Responsible parenting is promoted and supported.
● Parents play an integral role in assisting student learning, including successful achievement of the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards.
● Parents are welcome in the school, and their support and assistance are sought.
● Parents are partners in the decisions that affect children and families.
● Community resources are made available to strengthen school programs, family practices, and student learning.
The Department shall implement administrative guidelines that support professional development opportunities for staff members to enhance understanding of effective parent involvement strategies. The Department recognizes the importance of administrative leadership in setting expectations and creating a climate conducive to parental participation.
Engaging parents is essential to improved student achievement and to realize the Vision of a Public School Graduate.
Proposed amendments to BOE policy 2403
1. Change title to Parent/Family Involvement and Engagement Policy
Add the following language:
1. In addition to programs at the school level, the Board of Education supports the development, implementation, and regular evaluation of a program to involve parents in the decisions and practices of the school district, using to the degree possible, the components listed above. Engaging parents is essential to improved student achievement. This school district shall foster and support active parent involvement.
2. Schools must welcome the public’s involvement, and recognize and tap the strengths, dynamism, and resources of all those who wish to participate with the schools in practical and tangible ways. Teacher training institutions also have a responsibility to provide training in family involvement and engagement.
3. The State Board of Education hereby recommends that every school develop Family Involvement and Engagement Goals, Objectives and Metrics as part of their Academic and Financial Plan (AFP), which include the above mentioned component areas. Such plans will include outreach strategies, related home learning activities, community resources, and supportive school and district policies and actions, specifically the Title I Parental Involvement Policy and the NCLB Parent Involvement Section 1118.
The State Board of Education will disseminate model family involvement plans to every complex area Superintendent to assist in developing school plans.Further, the Board recommends that the Superintendent report annual metrics on parent involvement & engagement at all schools.