WE NEED YOU

Parents/Guardians:

Student’s achievement involves a plan of action, which is jointly developed between parents, schools and children.

We call this plan a SCHOOL PARENT COMPACT

A PLAN OF ACTION:

It’s a jointly developed plan that spells out what teachers, other school staff and parents need to do to help children meet state education standards.

A REQUIREMENT:

A school must have a compact for the children in its Title I program. Title I is a federal program. Its goal is to help those students who are furthest from meeting state standards.

PARENTS:

A compact gives parents an opportunity to be involved in their children’s education. And, it lets parents know what the school is doing for their children.

SCHOOLS:

Schools want parents to be involved. Teachers and other staff can do their jobs better when parents are “part of the team"

CHILDREN:

Children do better in school when they have the kind of combined support from teachers, other school staff and parents that a compact promotes.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT:

Every school must have a policy for getting the parents of Title I students involved in the program. A compact is one way to help carry out the policy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

A group of parents and school staff works out a model compact to be used for individual school-parent agreements. The compact explains everyone’s role in helping the students meet state standards that include:

• Its main purpose or goal – working together to improve learning, for example;
• duties teachers and school staff pledge to perform,
• duties parents pledge to carry out,
• responsibilities for students, when appropriate,
• guidelines for how the school and the parents will share information.

ONGOING REVIEW:

From time to time, school staff and parents go over the compact to see if any changes are needed.

MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD GETS TO SCHOOL:

Your child should get there:

• On time
• Dressed properly
• Well-rested and well-fed (if your child doesn’t eat breakfast at school)
• Prepared – with all needed books and supplies

READ TO YOUR CHILD:

Pass on a love for reading – learning. Set a good example by letting your child see you read often.

CUT DOWN ON TV:

Allow no more than 1-2 hours a day – and only programs appropriate for your child’s age.

TALK ABOUT SCHOOL:

This shows you think school is important. Ask your child about his or her classes. Encourage your child to come to you with any problems.

MAKE A TIME AND A PLACE FOR STUDY:

Set up a “quiet zone" in your home for homework and study. Try to keep down noise and distractions while your child is working.

CHECK YOUR CHILD’S ASSIGNMENTS:

Review homework to be sure it is complete. Help your child if he or she needs it – but don’t do the work for him or her.

REVIEW REPORT CARDS:

Go over them with your child. Praise his or her efforts. Ask about areas where he or she may be having difficulty.

MAKE IT A TEAM EFFORT, KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE SCHOOL:

Get to know your child’s teachers and other school staff. Find out:

• What is expected of your child in each class.
• The best times to talk with teachers and staff.

ATTEND WORKSHOPS:

The school may offer workshops on parenting or helping your child succeed in school. Take advantage of them!

GO TO CONFERENCES:

Attend parent-teacher conferences and open houses at school. Find our how your child is doing in each of his or her classes. Ask about your child’s:

• Strong points and areas for improvement.
• Skills and how they compare with the standards set for his or her age group.
• Ability to get along with others.

Ask what you can do to support your child’s efforts in school.

BE A SCHOOL VOLUNTEER:

Share your time – and talents – with your child’s class. Offer to help with field trips and special events. Or, lend a hand with classroom activities. Ask the school how you can help.

JOIN A PARENTS ORGANIZATION:

Consider groups such as:

• Your school’s parent-teacher organization
• The Title I parent advisory council, if your school has one.

These groups can give you more say in decisions that affect your child.

SUPPORT THE SCHOOL AT HOME:

Encourage your child to follow all school rules. Have school staff explain them you, if necessary.

THE SCHOOL HAS RESPONSIBILITIES

MAKE A SCHOOL A POSITIVE PLACE:

A healthy school environment plays a big part in learning. Staff will work to keep school a place that is:

• Safe
• Respectful of people’s differences
• Bright and cheerful
• Welcoming

PROVIDE SERVICES:

These may include:

• After-school activities that enhance learning
• Adult-education programs and parent workshops
• Special arrangements for parents – such as transportation to school meetings, and flexible meeting times.

WORK TOWARD EXCELLENCE:

The school can pledge to set high standards – for teachers, other school staff and students. This helps bring out the best in everyone.

MAKE REQUIREMENTS CLEAR:

Children do better when they know what is expected from them. Also, school rules need to be explained clearly.

SUPPORT LEARNING THROUGH HOMEWORK:

Teachers can pledge to give out daily homework that builds on classroom learning. The compact may spell out how much homework to give for each grade.

SCHOOLS HAVE A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO PARENTS:

Schools need to make an extra effort to reach out to parents. After all, what better expert on the child is there? Through the compact, school staff can agree to:

• Provide opportunities for parents to get involved.
• Encourage parents to share their opinions
• Suggest way parents can support learning at home.

KEEP UP-TO-DATE

PROGRESS REPORTS:

The school may send parents regular reports on how well the child is doing in his or her classes. The reports may note if he or she shows improvement or needs extra help.

MEETINGS WITH PARENTS:

These allow face-to-face talks with teachers and other school staff. Conferences may be held once or twice a year. Parents also may request additional meetings.

NEWSLETTERS AND NOTICES:

These are often sent home with students. They let parents know about special events and other school news. Information may be printed in more than one language.

WHAT ABOUT STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES?

COMPLETE ALL SCHOOLWORK:

This includes homework and special projects. The work must be done:

• On time
• Neatly
• Following the teacher’s directions

COME TO SCHOOL PREPARED:

This means being on time and ready to learn.

SHOW RESPECT:

This means following rules and always making an effort to get along with teachers, other school staff and classmates.

WATCH LESS TV:

The student and the parent can agree to a limit on how much TV should be allowed each night.