San Mateo County Grand Jury • 2005-2006

Issue | Background | Findings | Conclusions | Recommendations | Responses | Attachments Summary of Parental Support for

Published: June 06, 2006 6 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 12 findings

F1
Community Based English Tutoring (CBET) programs are thriving in several high-need districts. In these programs parents learn English, receive ideas for how to work with their children in reading and math, and are encouraged to read books in English to their children. These programs help parents whose native language is not English understand how the school system works and learn how to advocate for their children at school. o Child-care for younger children is provided for parents attending the CBET program. o CBET program times are flexible, meeting during the school day or in the evenings to accommodate parents’ schedules. o Calendars indicating parent education opportunities throughout the school year are published in both English and Spanish to reach parents of varying language proficiency. o Parent and community newsletters are printed in both English and Spanish. The newsletters are designed to get parents to come into the schools and emphasize parent responsibility for helping their children with school.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
At the beginning of the year, some schools offer workshops that allow parents to choose topics of interest. Teachers or other school personnel present the topics at times when parents are available.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Title I (federal) funds are allocated to establish a Parent Resource Center and to employ a parent liaison (coordinator) at each school in the district. 3 o Parent liaisons (who are themselves parents of children in the school) hold weekly meetings with parents, help them to support their children, and guide them in working within the system to advocate for their children. o Parent liaisons connect parents with community agencies and resources as needed and also meet with administration and staff.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
A special grant provides English as a Second Language instruction to parents so that they can assist in the language development of their own children. English vocabulary, grammar, oral expression, reading, and interactive language skills are emphasized, along with creative writing, poetry, and book making.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
In one school district, a library orientation to the city library provides each parent with a library card. The goal is to encourage parents, along with their children, to use the public library.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Home visits by classroom teachers to kindergarten families have fostered cross- cultural understanding and cemented positive relationships between home and school. Typically such visits are outside the scope of a classroom teacher's responsibility and require sensitivity to the family culture and values. Training is an essential component.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
One school district allocates $700 a year to each school to underwrite the costs of parent education and outreach. The program is designed by the parent involvement committee and includes the translation of newsletters into Spanish and workshops for parents.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Some school districts solicit contributions of food from community restaurants. Parents serve breakfast to their children at school. These meals promote healthier eating habits for children and are social events for the families. BEST PRACTICES: PRE KINDERGARTEN
No recommendations for this finding
F9
San Mateo County Office of Education's Early Childhood Language Development Institute (ECLDI) supports children by integrating their home language and culture into the classroom while they are learning English. The ECLDI has developed training programs for parents of children aged birth-to-5 whose home language is not English. The training is included in various early childhood programs throughout the county.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
Sequoia Union High School District operates cooperative preschools in Belmont, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Redwood City, and San Carlos that serve approximately 175 families. Education and training of parents are integral parts of the preschool program. 4
No recommendations for this finding
F11
Preschool pilot programs, Head Start programs, and state-funded preschools in the county require parent participation. These programs place high value on family participation.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
The Peninsula Community Foundation (PCF) is a major philanthropic organization in the county, with schools among its beneficiaries. The Peninsula Partnership funds city-school collaboratives in high-need communities. "Raising a Reader," also sponsored by PCF, helps parents support children's learning at a very early age by reading to and with them and by developing language skills through story telling. Conclusions The Grand Jury, following its investigation, concludes that involving parents is not only cost-effective; it is crucial in motivating children’s learning. Many districts in the county demonstrate creativity in reaching out to parents. School officials recognize that their efforts do reap benefits. They acquire grants and obtain community resources to fund parent education programs and generate parent support. Preschools encourage and frequently require parents to participate in the day-to-day education of their four-year-olds. In this way, families discover the value of parents' engagement in their child's learning. The Grand Jury believes that parents’ involvement is paramount in educational achievement. Because techniques for involving parents vary, schools throughout the county can help students by sharing their best practices with each other.
No recommendations for this finding

Conclusions 1

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

San Mateo County County Superintendent of Schools Elected County Office