PARTNERS IN LEARNING:
WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?
As a parent, you can play a role in strengthening
family involvement at your child's school. Listed below are some suggestions
for encouraging your child's school to use assessments as part of an overall
school improvement strategy.
 Share this newsletter with your school principal, teachers, PTA or
PTO.
If your child's school is currently engaged in a school improvement
effort, find out if there is a family involvement committee. If so, ask
if you might become a member. If not, offer to form and head one up. Suggest
that planning include an evaluation of current family involvement practices.
Approach educators positively by focusing on the use of assessments
in program planning and evaluation as a way to make things better, not as
a way to criticize the school.
Explore the possibility of conducting a family involvement assessment
through your PTA or PTO. Results could be presented to the school community
as part of a strategic planning process.
Look for a parent at the school with an expertise in program evaluation
or assessments. Propose that this parent give a presentation to teachers
and parents about how assessments might help in school improvement.
Suggest that your child's school use the enclosed survey, "Are
We Family Friendly?" with parents; offer to compile results.
Share the PTA and Minneapolis standards (see Good Resources) with other
parents and with educators in your community, from teachers and principals
to the superintendent and school board members.
Written by The Family Connection of St.
Joseph County, Inc. for Partners in Learning [Vol 2:1, 1998] a newsletter
of the Indiana Center for Family, School & Community Partnerships. If
you would like more information about using technology to involve families,
contact the Center at 317-205-2595 or email: fscp@indy.net
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