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Partnering with Your School:How to HelpYour ChildSucceed.

Kathy Leslie APRChalkboard Project

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Workshop Overview & Introduction

• Education in the United States• Benefits of Family Involvement• Standards• Measuring Progress• Accountability• Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences• How to help your child succeed in school

Segment #1

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A Sweet Way to Meet

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A Sweet Way to Meet • Green – What do you

like to do on Sunday?

• Black – Where do you work?

• Yellow – How do you help your child at home with school work?

• Red - An example of the way that you help other people.

• Purple - Personal strength.

• White – Describe the town you were born in.

• Pink – What do you like to do as a family?

• Orange – Age(s) of your child(ren) and what

do they like to do?

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All children in the United States are guaranteed a

free and quality education.

Education in the United States

Segment #2

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Education in the United States (2) Elementary and Secondary

Education Act (ESEA)• ESEA passed in 1965;• Sets policies and procedures for public

education in the U.S.;• Congress reauthorizes or revises ESEA every

six years;• Current version, No Child Left Behind, was

signed by President Bush in January 2002.

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Education in the United States(3) Many Differences in U.S. Schools

• Schools in the U.S. are run by local communities and not by the federal government;

• U.S. teachers can choose how to teach students; they do need to meet AYP requirements.

• Many parents in the U.S. play an active role in their child’s education.

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Education in the United States (4) No Child Left Behind

Radical historical change

Equal opportunity Equal outcomes

for ALL students

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Education in the United States (5) No Child Left Behind

• Steps up annual testing requirements;• School and District report cards required;• Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for all schools;• All groups of students must make AYP;

• All teachers must be highly qualified.

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Education in the United States (6) No Child Left Behind

Learning English• Under the law, if your child is placed in an

English Language program, the school should contact you in a language you can understand;

• You can ask for your child to attend a different English Language program, if one is available;

• Students will be tested once a year to see how well they are learning to read and write English.

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Education in the United States (7) No Child Left Behind

Teacher Quality• All teachers must be highly qualified; • Definition of “highly qualified” is different in each

state;• In Oregon, teachers need:

College degree (Bachelor’s degree) Oregon Teaching certificate Proof they know the subject they teach.

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Education in the United States (8) No Child Left Behind

Consequences

• If a Title I school has not made adequate progress over the past two or more years, parents can transfer their children to a school making progress, or request supplemental services;

• After three years, school MUST provide supplemental services.

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Education in the United States (9) No Child Left Behind

Consequences

• After four years: corrective action, such as replacing staff or implementing new curriculum;

• After five years: restructuring or takeover.

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Benefits of Family Involvement

A key element to student success in school

Is your school “open” to family involvement?

Segment #3

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Fortress School

Goal:Parents:Teachers:Info:Parent group(s):Decisions:

Protect schoolStay homeTeachOne-wayHand-pickedPrincipal

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Come if We Call School

Goal:Parents:Teachers:Info:Parent group(s):Decisions:

Share valuesReinforce schoolConferences/Open housesSchool handbookMeets monthly principal speaksPrincipal and lead teachers

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Open Door School

Goal:Parents:Teachers:

Info:Parent group(s):Decisions:

Enrich schoolShare and helpKnow families/build on

strengthsFriday foldersParent committeesSBDM Council

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Partnership School

All kids Learn

Families and Teachers:• Know each other

• Serve on committees• Make decisions• Look at data

• Share information

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Family Involvement (2) Students Benefit

• Earn higher grades and test scores;• Enroll in higher-level programs;• Are promoted and earn credits;• Adapt well to school and attend regularly;• Have better social skills and behavior;• Graduate and go on to higher education;• Achieve greater success in life.

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Family Involvement (3)

Families Benefit

• More confidence in school;• Higher expectations of their children;• Higher teacher opinions of families;• More self-confidence;• More likely to continue their own education.

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Family Involvement (4) Schools Benefit

• Improved teacher morale;• Higher teacher ratings by parents;• More support from families;• Higher student achievement;• Better reputation in the community.

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Standards

How can we make sure all children

succeed in school?

Segment #4

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Standards (1)

Standards Definition: What every student should know

and be able to do.

• Broad, clear statements of what students should know and be able to do..

• Each Oregon standard describes the content students need to master by the end of each grade level.

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Standards (2) Why do we have

standards?• To be very clear about what every student

should know and be able to do; • To make sure students in one school learn

the same things as students in another school;

• To have high expectations for all students.

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Standards(3) The Philosophy

Behind Standards

• All children can learn at higher levels;

• If we expect more, we get more;

• We must expect more of ALL students.

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Standards(4) More About Standards

• Learning standards differ from state to state;• Your child’s school is required to make sure

ALL students meet the standards in our state;

• Schools must use annual tests to find out if students have met the standards.

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Sample Standards

What students need to know

and be able to do.

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Standards(5) Let’s look at some English/ Language Arts standards

• Read written directions, signs, captions, warning labels and informational books. (3rd grade);

• Use word origins to determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases. (5th grade);

• Understand and explain the use of a complex mechanical device (e.g.program a VCR) by following technical directions. (8th grade)

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Standards(6) Let’s look at some Math Standards

• Develop and acquire efficient strategies for determining multiplication and division facts 0-9. (3rd grade);

• Develop and evaluate strategies for computing with decimals and fractions. (5th grade);

• Develop and analyze algorithms and compute with rational numbers. (8th grade);

• Compute with integer exponents and whole number roots. (grades 9-12).

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Standards (7) Now for some Science

Standards• Describe the basic needs of living things. (3rd

grade)• Classify organs by the system to which they

belong. (5th grade)• Identify differences and similarities between

plant and animal cells. (8th grade)• Identify unique structures in cells from plants,

animals, and prokaryotes. (grades 9-12)

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Measuring Progress

How do we know if a student can do the things described in the standards?

Segment #5

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Measuring Progress (1) Students Take Tests

Students take state tests:English Language Arts (3-12)Mathematics (3-12)Social Science (5,8-12)Science (5,8-12)English Language Proficiency

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Measuring Progress (2) How do we know if a

student can do those things?

Students provide work samples:WritingMathematics problem solvingSpeakingScientific InquirySocial science analysis

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Measuring Progress (3) Students and Schools

• How you can find out if your child is being successful in school?

• How can you find out if your school is doing a good job helping students learn?

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Measuring progress(4) Getting Information About Your Student

• Homework• Classroom tests• Student report card• State tests: Grades 3-8 CIM

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Measuring Progress(5) Tests

• State tests measure how well students have met the standards;

• The student gets one of three “grades”Exceeded standards (did better than required)Met standardsDid not meet standards

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Measuring progress(6)

Sample Test Questions

Mathematics – Grade 6 The state fair was in town, and everyone was excited.

The carnival games were the most popular attractions. The first day the fair was open, 2 people won stuffed animals. The second day 4 people won, the third day 6 people won, and so on. If the fair was open for “n” days, how many people would win on the “n”th day, if this pattern continued?

A. 2 + nB. 2nC. 2n + 2D. n2

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Measuring Progress (7)

Sample Test Questions

Mathematics – Grade 8 About 60% of the used white paper is recycled

at Lance's school. The school uses 1,260 pounds of paper per month. Which is the best estimate for the number of pounds of white paper recycled per month?

A. 500-560B. 600-660C. 720-780D. 850-910

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Measuring Progress (8)

Sample Test QuestionsSocial Science - CIM

The following event or events led to World War I:I. Formation of the League of NationsII. The assassination of Archduke Franz FerdinandIII. A system of competing alliancesIV. The desire for nationalism in European

countries.

A. I onlyB. II onlyC. II, III, IVD. II and III

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Measuring Progress (9) Sample Test Questions

Science – Grade 8Compared to coastal areas, interior areas of a large continents tend to have

A. higher amounts of rainfall throughout the year.

B. a greater incidence of fog during summer months.

C. an increased risk of hurricanes during the spring months.

D. more extreme temperature differences between winter and summer.

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Measuring Progress (10)

Test Taking Tips

BEFORE THE TEST• Develop a positive attitude. Tell yourself, “I

will do my best on this test.”• Get a good night’s sleep the night before the

test.• Get up early enough to avoid hurrying to get

ready for school.• Eat a good breakfast (and lunch, if your test

is in the afternoon).

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Measuring Progress (11)

Test Taking Tips

DURING THE TEST• Stay calm.• Listen carefully to directions from the

teacher.• Ask questions if you don’t understand what to

do.• This is not a timed test. If you need more

time to finish the test, tell your teacher.

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Measuring Progress (12)

Test Taking TipsAFTER THE TEST

• Before you turn your test in, check it over. Change an answer only if you have a good reason. Generally, it is better to stick with your first choice.

• Make sure you have marked an answer for every question, even if you had to guess.

• Make sure your answer sheet is clearly marked with dark pencil. Erase any stray marks.

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Accountability

Getting Information About Your Child, Your

School and Your School District

Segment #6

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Accountability (1)

Your Child’s Report Card

• Student report cards are different for each school district.

• The report card gives you specific information about your student such as:Test scoresGrades or marks in specific subjectsAttendance

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Accountability (2)

Let’s Look at your School Report Card?

You can learn: if students in your school are making

progress from year to year; if different groups of students in your school

are meeting standards; how students in your school compare to

those in your school district; if your school is doing well overall.

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Accountability (3)

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

• Schools use guidelines set by the federal government to set goals for how much students should improve each year;

• Students in every group – white, African-American, Hispanic, low-income, special education, must meet goals;

• If all students meet the goals, and 95% are tested, the school “meets” Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

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Accountability (4)

“Grades” for Your School

Your school gets graded based on: How well students do on tests; Student attendance and drop out rates; Whether the school is improving; The percentage of students taking the

tests.

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Accountability (5)

A Grade for Your School

• Exceptional• Strong• Satisfactory• Low• Unacceptable

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Accountability (6)

Let’s Look at the Report Card for Your District

Federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Rating If all student groups meet targets in

English/Language Arts and Mathematics and;

The district meets targets for attendance or graduation THEN

The District is designated as Meeting AYP.

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Accountability (7)

Your District Report CardSchool Ratings:

Student performance rating – – based on state assessment tests;

Student behavior rating – based on attendance and drop-out rates;

Improvement rating – based on change in students performance and behavior ratings for past 4 years;

School characteristics rating – based on percentage of students taking all state

assessment tests.

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Accountability (8)

Your District Report Card

Federal Designation for Title I Schools

• Identified for School Improvement – Schools not meeting AYP in the same content area for two or three consecutive years;

• Identified for Corrective Action - Schools not meeting AYP in the same content area for four consecutive years;

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Accountability (9)

Your District Report Card

Accountability Information• Student Achievement - The student group

must meet the statewide academic target, or reduce the percentage of tests not meeting standards by 10%, and meet the state target for graduation.

• Graduation rate – Compares the number of students receiving a standard diploma with the number of students who drop out.

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Accountability (10)

Academic TargetsSchool Yr. English/Language Arts Mathematics

2002-2003 40% 39%

2006-2007 50% 49%

2007-2008 60% 59%

2008-2009 60% 59%

2009-2010 60% 59%

2010-2011 70% 70%

2011-2012 80% 80%

2012-2013 90% 90%

2013-2014 100% 100%

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Accountability (11)

Your District Report Card

District Information• Percentage of students meeting standards;• Testing participation;• Attendance;• District staffing;• Percentage of highly qualified teachers;• Special populations;• Financial data.

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Keys to Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences

What to do:Before the conferenceDuring the conferenceAfter the conference

Segment #7

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Parent-Teacher Conferences (1) Before the Conference

• Talk to your child about what they would like you to discuss.

• Write a list of questions you want to ask.• If you do not speak English, make sure the

school has someone who can translate or take someone with you who can.

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Parent-Teacher Conferences (2) During the Conference

• Refer to the notes you made before the conference so you can ask the questions that are the most important.

• If your child is having any problems, ask what the school is doing to change that and what you can do.

• If your child is excelling in certain areas, ask what the school is doing to provide challenging work.

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Parent-Teacher Conferences (3) During the Conference

• Ask questions about your child’s friends, cooperation in class, social skills.

• Share information about your student such as any special needs or changes in the family.

• If any problems are discussed, make sure you work out a plan to help your child improve.

• Take notes so you can remember what was said.

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Parent-Teacher Conferences (4) After the Conference

• Tell your child about the conference. Stress those things that are positive.

• Talk to your child about ways to improve.• Start the action plan for improvement right away.• Observe how your child is responding to the

action plan. Talk to the teacher about any concerns.

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How to Help your Child Succeed in School

Segment #8

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How to Help Your Child Succeed in School(1)

• Praise, praise, praise your child for hard work at school;

• Keep home stocked with books, magazines and newspapers that interest your student;

• Ask your student to write. Diaries, journals, letters and e-mails help sharpen writing skills.

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How to Help Your Student Succeed in School(2)

• Get to know your student’s teachers and principal. Ask how your child is being prepared to meet high standards.

• Keep track of what’s happening at school. Watch for test dates, parent-teacher conferences, classroom activities and celebrations.

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How to Help Your Student Succeed in School(3)

• Don’t wait for report cards to find out how your student is doing. Ask your child about what he or she is learning.

• Make sure your child is completing homework on time.

• Put limits on watching TV, talking with friends on the telephone, and playing video games.

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How to Help Your Student Succeed in School(4)

• Give your child a quiet place to do homework. Schedule a regular time for homework. Don’t let anyone invade the time and space your student sets aside for doing homework.

• Encourage your child to use computers at home, at school or at the library. Ask your student to teach you how to use the computer if you don’t know how.

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How to Help Your Student Succeed in School(5)

• Make sure your child gets to school on time.

• Make sure your child goes to school every day.

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How to Help Your Student Succeed in School(6)

Get involved: Volunteer in the classroom;Offer to share your work or life

experiences with students in the classroom;

Help with decision making by joining and/or attending site council meetings, parent clubs, or other activities.

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Where to Find More Information

You will find a list of helpful resources in

your Parent Involvement Tool Kit.

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Questions?

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Thank you

We look forward to

seeing you at school!