Arizona Department of Education holds Parent Involvement Training

Tyler Tawahogva/NHO<br>
From left to right: Jille Jean, of ADE; Terry Strayhand, ADE Parent Involvement Liason; Stephanie Washingtono, ADE Finance; and, Debora Norris, ADE Indian Education Director.

Tyler Tawahogva/NHO<br> From left to right: Jille Jean, of ADE; Terry Strayhand, ADE Parent Involvement Liason; Stephanie Washingtono, ADE Finance; and, Debora Norris, ADE Indian Education Director.

TUBA CITY, Ariz. - On Sept. 7 representatives of the Arizona Department of education came to the Tuba City Junior High School library to conduct training on parent involvement. Parent involvement is a requirement for schools that receive Title 1 funding, and Terry Strayhand, Parent Involvement Coordinator, and colleagues came to give attendees information on parent involvement activities and policies.

Strayhand started the training by introducing her colleagues Debora Norris ,Director of Indian Education; and Jill Jeane and Stephanie Washington.

One thing of particular attention was the reaction to the feeling, 'I don't think my parents care about the education of their children,' a thought some individuals have about parents. State LEA requires parents to be involved in the joint development of the plan and the process of school improvement; help support and give assistance in implementing parent involvement activities, and build parents capacity for strong parent involvement.

"If parents are involved it affects the learning and behavior of the child," said Strayhand. "In the long run academic achievement improves."

Every year a Title I parent involvement annual evaluation is conducted to determine the effectiveness of parental involvement policy in improving the quality of schools served, and identify parental involvement.

"The LEA is responsible for making sure that parents are involved," said Strayhand. School requirements are a parent plan or policy, and how the school will involve parents in joint development of the plan.

Some suggestions were to host math, science or literature nights to give parents more involvement with their children.

"This type of parent involvement needs to be in place for funding," said Strayhand. "Parent compacts should be used at parent teacher conferences and to help make plans to help students with challenges, a compact could be used in conferences."

Strayhand suggested holding meetings at flexible times, and to coordinate with the community to hold parent meetings in other locations than the school. State regulations require that information is given in a timely manner, and that there is two way communication. Strayhand suggested one way to do this is using the Internet.

"One aspect is the school climate, how a school looks makes a difference to parents as well as someone greeting you and being nice to you," said Strayhand. "Schools are not inviting sometimes."

Some suggestion were clearly marked signs, open door policies, comfortable waiting areas, and cultural diversity that is recognized. Different cultures should be recognized throughout the schools in different ways such as symbols, signs and whatever ways are appropriate.

One attendee noted that there is a real competition for students in Tuba City about which school to send their children to.

Communication is very important.

"Postage can be funded by Title I funds to get information out to parents and Tuba City Unified schools can send information to the community by mail to keep parents informed," said Norris. "Training for parents can be covered by Title I funds as well as a parent liaison for the school to help with parent involvement."

Some hurdles for teachers to overcome are lack of time, lack of training for school staff and staff attitudes towards parents.

"Teachers need to see the value of parents and need to find time for parents to be involved to have parent support in the classroom," said Strayhand.

An activity was performed by groups to brainstorm how to overcome hurdles such as collaborating with the community, communication, parenting and volunteering. Some ideas were making radio announcements, volleyball games, Coke rewards to purchase supplies, business partnerships for donations, walks and fun runs to get parents and community involved.

The next steps were to establish action teams with parents, teachers and administrators and determining what is working now, survey interest and the needs of parents, establish smart goals and set timelines. Many schools in the Tuba City area have strong parent programs and others have some work to do. Debora Norris stated

"Schools have until October to submit their plans for parent involvement," said Norris. "We will be reviewing these plans shortly to determine which schools may needs some support to implement parent involvement plans."

According to Strayhand there are many resources available on the Internet on parent involvement. She encourages people to find these resources and put them into action.

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