Public Education Initiative
"It Takes a Parent"
Cobb County parents gain helpful knowledge at Georgia Appleseed's NCLB-Parent Involvement workshop
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation's extensive focus on assessment and data was based upon the theory that providing parents with information about student and school performance would empower them to take action to improve the educational outcomes both of their children and of all children.
National Appleseed's landmark report, "It Takes a Parent," found that, in fact, the parent involvement provisions of NCLB are being largely overlooked. Information received by parents about their children and schools is often confusing and overwhelming, and parents do not know how to use it effectively to become better "consumers" of public education.
"It Takes a Parent" offers many recommendations based on its findings, including the development of strategies for communicating with and engaging parents, prioritization and funding of more comprehensive professional development around parent involvement, and encouraging schools to leverage their limited resources by engaging community organizations.
Georgia Appleseed's Parental Involvement Initiative
"It was excellent. It should be made available to as many educators as possible!"
—Habersham Educator Attendee
Georgia Appleseed's Parental Involvement Initiative is intended to effect change based on the findings and recommendations of "It Takes a Parent." Its goal is to promote parent involvement as a central component in efforts to improve student achievement in Georgia. Its approach is multi-dimensional, incorporating strategies for training, professional development and public awareness, pro bono professional expertise and extensive collaboration. The target audience includes educators, parents, policy makers, and community leadership, all recognized as vital constituents in achieving strong, effective parent-school partnerships that benefit all children.
Education Advisory Council
Georgia Appleseed is guided on issues of educational interest and importance in Georgia by its volunteer Education Advisory Council (EAC), comprised of senior education leaders and community leaders from throughout Georgia with expertise in public education. Learn more about the EAC.
Project: Increasing Effective Parental Involvement
NCLB-PARENT INVOLVEMENT WORKSHOPS
Cobb County parents gain helpful knowledge at Georgia Appleseed's NCLB-Parent Involvement workshop
From Valdosta to Cleveland, from LaGrange to Statesboro, over 800 parents and educators have benefited from"NCLB Parent Involvement" workshops presented by Georgia Appleseed.
Theresa Brower, Georgia Appleseed's Parent Involvement Project Manager, and Cathy Henson, Chair of Georgia Appleseed's Education Advisory Council, have traveled to school districts throughout Georgia to lead workshops to increase parents' understanding of their rights and responsibilities under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and to enhance parents' ability to effectively use the data NCLB generates. Attendees have been primarily from districts with high numbers of Title I schools.
Based on follow-up surveys, over 90% felt the workshops prepared them to be better advocates for their students. "Thanks for this opportunity. I would love to have more meetings like this one. I want to help my children succeed in school and in life."
—Clayton County Parent - Title I Parent University participant"This information was never explained to me before and now I understand the premise of NCLB and the necessity and value of assessments." "I knew the CRCT is important, but now I have a bigger view about how important it is for my children." "Many more, all parents and educators, need to know this information."
Learn where Georgia Appleseed workshops have been held around Georgia.
PROFESSIONAL CURRICULA
An additional strategy, with broader, systemic impact, has been the creation of professional development training around parent involvement. Over the past year, Georgia Appleseed has collaborated with Georgia's Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) to develop curricula training modules that enhance education leader skills in parental engagement and communication, using NCLB data.
According to GLISI's Senior Executive Director Deb Page, "We are extremely grateful for the support and collaboration of Georgia Appleseed. These modules are being used to support school leaders statewide, and are being adopted by colleges and universities which prepare leaders."
Read national and local reaction to "It Takes a Parent"
Georgia Appleseed's parent involvement initiative has been generously funded by the Georgia Power Foundation, Wachovia Foundation, Bank of America Charitable Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
Knowledge Forum - September 2007
Georgia Appleseed's September 7th Knowledge Forum on Parent Involvement Under NCLB provided an exciting opportunity to focus on parents' critical role in student achievement and school success, and discuss ongoing and future efforts to maximize parent participation effectively under NCLB.
View details, photos, and videos.
