Parent Engagement

Parents sitting at the table helping their children with schoolwork.
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    There has been extensive research conducted in the area of parental engagement. One study yielded the following: "When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more (Southwest Educational Development Laboratory).” The report, a synthesis of research on parent involvement over the past decade, goes on to find that, regardless of family income or background, "students with involved parents” are more likely to:

    ∼ Earn higher grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-level programs.

    ∼ Be promoted, pass their classes, and earn credits.

    ∼ Attend school regularly.

    ∼ Have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school.

    ∼ Graduate and go on to postsecondary education.

    Title I, Part A provides for substantive parental involvement at every level of the program, such as in the development and implementation of the State and local plan, and in carrying out the local educational agency (LEA) and school improvement provisions. Section 1116 contains the primary Title I, Part A requirements for state educational agencies (SEA), LEAs and schools related to involving parents in their children's education. It is this section that identifies critical points in the process of improving teaching and learning where parents and the community can assist in school improvement. Although section 1116 is wide-ranging in scope and has many requirements for LEAs and schools, the intent is not to be burdensome.

    These provisions reflect good practice in engaging families in helping to educate their children, because students do better when parents are actively involved in the education process, both at home and school.

    Our Parent Engagement Program is designed to:

    1. Inform parents about Title I regulations.
    2. Involve parents in local Title I decisions.
    3. Provide literacy training.
    4. Offer parents training in schools and the community on ways to work with their children at home to raise student achievement.
    5. Encourage active participation in their children’s school and education.
  • PARENT ENGAGEMENT

    STATE/FEDERAL LAW

    The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) serves as the latest reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), which was last reauthorized in 2002 as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Since its inception, the intent of the law has been to provide all children with a significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education and to close educational achievement gaps. Parent and family engagement and consultation have always been key pieces of the law, focused on serving the socioeconomically disadvantaged. Gaps in educational opportunity and achievement will only be remedied when those closest to the affected students – parents, families, and communities – are driving decision-making, which is one of the mandated aims of ESSA.

    Click here to view the ESSA ACT

    LEA PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PLAN (PFEP)

    The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 1116, requires that every district and school receiving Title I Part A funds develops a written parent and family engagement policy/plan. The policy/plan shall be developed jointly with parents and families, agreed upon by parents and families, and distributed to parents and families. The policy/plan is a statement that describes the family engagement program for the school year. The emphasis should be on the unique roles of home and school and how this partnership will enhance student success.

    You may access and view a copy of your child’s school’s parent and family engagement plan on the school’s website.  Additionally, you can get a copy of the parent and family engagement plan by getting in touch with your child's school.

    2024-2025 LEA PARENT FAMILY ENGAGMENT PLAN

    PFEP and Compact

    Every school receiving Title I, Part A, funds is required to develop a written school-parent compact. Parents and families will jointly develop the compact, decide on it, and distribute it to parents and families. The compact is a passion in print. It is like a compass pointing toward the destination of “student success.” The compact serves as a reminder of shared responsibility for school and home to work together to improve student achievement. It is a document that explains what families and schools can do to help children reach high academic standards of excellence.

    The parent or guardian should have received a copy of the school-parent compact during the first week of school.  If you have not received a copy of the school-parent compact, you may notify and request a copy from your child’s school. Once received, please sign and return to school.

  • TITLE I SUPPORT SERVICES

    Title I is a federally funded program that provides supplementary staff, instruction, and support services for students who need extra help in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. Title I funds must be used in addition to district and state funds. All the services students would receive in the absence of Title I must be in place before Title I funds are used. Every student in the school is eligible to benefit from services that are generated through the Title I program.

    Public Law 114-95 contains provisions for Title I services to select non-public schools and students residing in institutions for neglected or delinquent youth. Public Law 114-95 also stipulates that parents must be involved in the Title I program.

  • PARENT TRAINING ACADEMY

    TITLE I PARENT TRAINING ACADEMY

    Title I Parent Training Academy workshops are designed to instruct parents on effective methods that can assist their child(ren) in learning. Parents will learn best practices and/or instructional strategies used in the classroom to promote student achievement, parenting skills, financial literacy, health and wellness, and personal growth.

    The goals of the Title I Parent Training Academy are to:

    • Explain the Title I Program.
    • Improve parenting and literacy skills.
    • Model instructional strategies that can be used at home to help students with reading/writing, math and science.

    There are seven training sessions, which include an Orientation and the Annual Parent Seminar.  Parent Training Academies are held at 7:00 p.m. at various locations.  If you are interested in attending these informative workshops contact the Title I Parent Engagement Program at 754-321-1410.

     

  • RESOURCES

    MONITOR YOUR CHILD'S PROGRESS

    • Pinnacle - Pinnacle allows parents to view their student's grades and attendance. You must be registered to access it. You will be re-directed to the School Board’s Active Directory login page. Use your child’s Active Directory user id and password to log in.
    • BCPS Mobile App- The BCPS Mobile App allows parents and families to stay connected in real-time with information on their child’s academic performance, lunch account balances, bus pick-up and drop-off times and so much more.
    • Virtual Counselor - Virtual Counselor provides parents, students, and district personnel with access to attendance, grades, test scores, and other pertinent information needed to help students achieve.

    Additional Resources

Contact Information

  • Title I, Migrant Education & Special Programs

    701 NW 31st Avenue

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311

    Phone: 754-321-1400

    Fax: 754-321-1441

    TTL: --

    Phone: --

    Luwando Wright

    Director