Parent and family engagement is an important component in a student’s success in school.  The board encourages parents and families to become involved in their child’s education to ensure the child’s academic success.  In order to facilitate parent and family involvement, it is the goal of the district to conduct outreach and implement programs, activities and procedures to further involve parents and families with the academic success of their students.  The board will:

(1)        Involve parents and families in the development of the Title I plan, the process for school review of the plan and the process for improvement by: 

Parents and families will be provided information and given opportunities for feedback as it relates to the Title 1 program through in depth information and resources shared in the Title 1 parent survey completed each spring, student progress reports completed each quarter, and participation in parent-teacher conferences. In addition, resources are shared at our annual reading night in the fall.

(2)        Provide the coordination, technical assistance and other support necessary to assist and build the capacity of all participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent and family involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance by:

Student selection for the Title 1 program will be based on multiple factors. These factors are based on formative reading assessment scores through FAST testing as well as ISASP testing. Selection will also incorporate students’ Foundational Skills level and data trends over time.  Students will not be accepted into the Title 1 program if they are receiving an individualized education plan in the area of reading. If a student has an IEP in the area of reading, their services would fall under special education.

(3)        To the extent feasible, coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies under Title I with parent and family engagement strategies outlined in other relevant Federal, State, and local laws and programs by:

The school sends a  parent a letter  that outlines what the parent, student, teacher, and principal will do to increase a student's achievement. This letter  is sent to the parents of all Title 1 students and outlines the ways in which all stakeholders will work together to achieve proficiency.

(4)        Conduct with the involvement of parents and family members, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parent and family engagement policy in improving the academic quality of the school served including identifying: barriers to greater participation by parents in Title I activities (with particular attention to low-income parents, Limited English Proficient (LEP) parents, parents of any racial or ethnic minority, parents with disabilities and parents with limited literacy); needs of parents and family to assist their children’s learning; and strategies to support successful school and family interactions by:  

Parents of selected Title 1 students will be sent a parent letter  outlining their child’s participation in the Title 1 program and are required to sign and return the parent permission slip. The Title 1 teacher will attend the fall and spring parent teacher conference to update parents on the progress of the student.  Updates will also be completed by the teacher and a paper copy sent home with report cards. If there is a need, the teacher and/or parents have the right to call a conference.

Input from parents on the planning, review, and improvement of the Title 1 programs will be gathered through the spring parent Title 1 parent surveys.

(5)        Use the findings of the annual evaluation to design strategies for more effective parent and family involvement and to revise, as necessary, the parent and family involvement policies by: 

The results from the spring parent survey will be analyzed and incorporated when possible and applicable.

(6)        Involve parents and families in Title I activities by: 

Through the spring parent survey, parents will be able to comment on the effectiveness of the Title 1 program. Additional parent resources and opportunities to collaborate are provided  during parent teacher conferences and our reading night. During these meetings,  teachers provide parents multiple suggestions and ideas on how to engage with their students in reading.

The district shall involve parents in determining how to allocate reserved Title I funds in accordance with applicable laws. 

The board will review this policy annually.  The superintendent is responsible for notifying parents and families of this policy annually or within a reasonable time after it has been amended during the school year.  The superintendent may develop an administrative process or procedures to implement this policy.