Parent Involvement Policy

The board recognizes that involvement of parents and guardians (hereafter “parents”) contributes to the achievement of academic standards by students participating in district programs. The board views the education of students as a cooperative effort among school, parents and community. The board expects that its schools will carry out programs, activities and procedures in accordance with the statutory definition of parental involvement. Parental involvement means the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring that parents: 

A.    Play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning; 
B.    Participate and are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school; and 
C.    Become partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child. 

Additionally, to ensure effective involvement of parents and to support a partnership among the school, parents, and the community, the board adopts as part of its policy the following guidance for parent involvement at each school assisted by Title I, Part A funds: 

1.    Provide assistance to parents of children served by the school or district, as appropriate, in understanding topics such as: 

      a.    Washington’s academic standards; 
      b.    State and local assessments, including alternate assessments; 
      c.    The requirements of Title I; 
      d.    How to monitor their child’s progress; and 
      e.    How to work with educators to improve the achievement of their children. 

2.    Provide materials and training to help parents work with their children to improve their children’s academic achievement. 

3.    Educate teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, principals, and other staff with the assistance of parents, in the value and utility of contributions of parents and how to do the following: 

       a.    Reach out, communicate, and work with parents as equal partners; 
       b.    Implement and coordinate parent programs; and 
       c.    Build ties between parents and schools.

4.    Coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies, to the extent feasible and appropriate, with similar strategies used under other programs. 

5.    Ensure that information related to the school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is provided to the parents of participating children in an understandable and uniform format, and to the extent practicable, in a language that parents can understand. When necessary and upon request, this information will be provided in an alternative format. 

School Board Policy 4215, Community Relations School Board Procedure 4130 & 4130P, which contains more information about implementation of this policy is available at: 
SBP 4130
SBP 4130P