Parental involvement in a child’s education is the key to student success, according to research by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
The Foundation reports, “Students whose parents stay involved in school have better attendance and behavior, get better grades, demonstrate better social skills, and adapt better to school.”
To ensure that parents are kept in the loop and stay active in their child’s education in Newcastle, a Parent Engagement policy was recently approved by the school board.
The policy, adopted at the October Board of Education meeting, affects students, parents and teachers at Newcastle Elementary School and Newcastle Early Childhood Center, both of which are considered Title I Schools.
These schools, as well as many others around the state and nation, because of their designation, receive federal funding to assist students who are having trouble in reading or math or who are at most risk of falling behind.
The Parent Engagement Policy provides parents the ability to request a Parent/ Student/Teacher Compact, a site specific Parent and Family Engagement plan, and the Parent’s Right to Know plan.
The Plan states that all assessments will be communicated to parents, and parents will be notified about extended learning opportunities that are available to their students including additional intervention during the school day and summer reading programs as needed.
It also is intended to provide parents with ideas on how to be involved in their child’s education, and how to help the student with success in academics and life skills.
The policy further states that teachers will be available for scheduled conferences twice each year during the Parent-Teacher Conference days, and other conferences may be arranged as requested either by parents or teachers. A student’s progress will be reported at least four times each school year.
According to the policy, “Newcastle Public Schools will provide the support necessary to assist our schools in implementing effective family engagement activities. This support includes, but is not limited to, parent/family engagement ideas, trainings and other resources.
“Newcastle Public Schools will integrate parent/family engagement strategies through the use of federal, state, and local programs. Parent/family engagement activities and support will include Title I, EL, Indian, Special Education, Gifted, and Homeless students and families. All parent/family engagement opportunities, training, and evidence-based resources will support the academic and non-academic needs of our students.
“Newcastle Public Schools will conduct an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of the plan in improving the academic quality of Title I schools, including identifying barriers to greater participation by families, and use the findings to design strategies to support successful school and family interactions and revise engagement policies.
“Parental involvement activities in each Title I program will be planned and ongoing and will be responsive to the differing needs of all families and parents.”
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