Eastern Lancaster County School District

The Title I Parent and Family Engagement section of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 1116(b) requires each Title I school to develop a written parent and family engagement policy  with parents of Title I children that describes the means for carrying out the requirements of Section 1116. The school must ensure that information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities are communicated to the parents of Title I children in a format and in a language the parents can understand. The policy must be reviewed on an annual basis, be distributed to parents, and be made available to the community.

Guidelines

1. Blue Ball Elementary will convene an annual Title I meeting or event for families of participating children.  Blue Ball Elementary will make efforts to determine the most convenient times to provide flexibility for  participating parents and families (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(2)). The meeting will provide information including:

a. a review of the requirements, and the rights for parents to be involved (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(I)).

b. a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessments used to measure student progress, and the achievement levels of the challenging State academic standards (ESSA, Section 1116(c)4)(B)).

c. information to better understand the challenging State academic standards, State and local academic assessments, and how to monitor a child's progress and work with teachers to improve the achievement  of their children (ESSA, Section l l 16(6)(e)(l)).

d. materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children's achievement,  to foster parent involvement (ESSA, Section 1116(6)(e)(l)).

2. Blue Ball Elementary will convene at least one Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting  annually to:

a. review and gather feedback on the school’s Parent and Family Engagement policy.  (ESSA, Section 1116(b)(1)).

 b. develop/review the parent-school compact which outlines:

i. the school's responsibility to provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables the children served under this part to meet the challenging State academic standards, and the ways in which each parent will be responsible for supporting their children's learning; volunteering in their child's classroom; and participating, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children and positive use of extracurricular time (ESSA, Section (d)(l)); and

ii. addresses the importance of communication between teachers and parents on an ongoing basis through, at a minimum-

1. parent-teacher conferences annually and as needed  

2. reasonable access to staff, opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child's class, and observation of classroom activities; and ensuring regular twoway, meaningful communication between family members and school staff, and, to the extent practicable, in a language that family members can understand (ESSA, Section 1l 16(d)(2)(A-D)).

3. Blue Ball Elementary will involve parents in planning, reviewing, and improving the Title I program as well as evaluating the school’s parent and family engagement program  (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(3)) through the annual meeting and a survey collected in the Spring of each school year.

4. Blue Ball Elementary will provide parents of participating children timely  information about the Title I Program and Title I events (ESSA, Section 1 I 16(c)(4)(A)) and to the extent that practicable, in a language the parents and family can understand (ESSA, Section 1116(6)(e)(5)).

5. Blue Ball Elementary will provide, if requested by parents, opportunities for regular meetings with teachers to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and respond to any suggestions as soon as practicably possible (ESSA, Section 1l 16(c)(4)(C))

6. Blue Ball Elementary will hold an annual training with staff to review how to communicate and build ties between families and the school (ESSA, Section l l l 6(6)(e)(3)).

7. Blue Ball Elementary will to the greatest extent feasible and appropriate, coordinate and integrate family engagement programs with other school programs. (ESSA, Section 1116(6)(e)(4)). 

The Title I Parent and Family Engagement section of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 1116(b) requires each Title I school to develop a written parent and family engagement policy  with parents of Title I children that describes the means for carrying out the requirements of Section 1116. The school must ensure that information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities are communicated to the parents of Title I children in a format and in a language the parents can understand. The policy must be reviewed on an annual basis, be distributed to parents, and be made available to the community.

Guidelines

1. Brecknock Elementary will convene an annual Title I meeting or event for families of participating children.  Brecknock Elementary will make efforts to determine the most convenient times to provide flexibility for  participating parents and families (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(2)). The meeting will provide information including:

a. a review of the requirements, and the rights for parents to be involved (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(I)).

b. a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessments used to measure student progress, and the achievement levels of the challenging State academic standards (ESSA, Section 1116(c)4)(B)).

c. information to better understand the challenging State academic standards, State and local academic assessments, and how to monitor a child's progress and work with teachers to improve the achievement  of their children (ESSA, Section l l 16(6)(e)(l)).

d. materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children's achievement,  to foster parent involvement (ESSA, Section 1116(6)(e)(l)).

2. Brecknock Elementary will convene at least one Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting  annually to:

a. review and gather feedback on the school’s Parent and Family Engagement policy.  (ESSA, Section 1116(b)(1)).  

b. develop/review the parent-school compact which outlines:

i. the school's responsibility to provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables the children served under this part to meet the challenging State academic standards, and the ways in which each parent will be responsible for supporting their children's learning; volunteering in their child's classroom; and participating, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children and positive use of extracurricular time (ESSA, Section (d)(l)); and

ii. addresses the importance of communication between teachers and parents on an ongoing basis through, at a minimum

1. parent-teacher conferences annually and as needed  

2. reasonable access to staff, opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child's class, and observation of classroom activities; and ensuring regular twoway, meaningful communication between family members and school staff, and, to the extent practicable, in a language that family members can understand (ESSA, Section 1l 16(d)(2)(A-D)).

3. Brecknock Elementary will involve parents in planning, reviewing, and improving the Title I program as well as evaluating the school’s parent and family engagement program  (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(3)) through the annual meeting and a survey collected in the Spring of each school year.

4. Brecknock Elementary will provide parents of participating children timely  information about the Title I Program and Title I events (ESSA, Section 1 I 16(c)(4)(A)) and to the extent that practicable, in a language the parents and family can understand (ESSA, Section 1116(6)(e)(5)).

5. Brecknock Elementary will provide, if requested by parents, opportunities for regular meetings with teachers to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and respond to any suggestions as soon as practicably possible (ESSA, Section 1l 16(c)(4)(C))

6. Brecknock Elementary will hold an annual training with staff to review how to communicate and build ties between families and the school (ESSA, Section l l l 6(6)(e)(3)).

7. Brecknock Elementary will to the greatest extent feasible and appropriate, coordinate and integrate family engagement programs with other school programs. (ESSA, Section 1116(6)(e)(4)). 

The Title I Parent and Family Engagement section of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 1116(b) requires each Title I school to develop a written parent and family engagement policy  with parents of Title I children that describes the means for carrying out the requirements of Section 1116. The school must ensure that information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities are communicated to the parents of Title I children in a format and in a language the parents can understand. The policy must be reviewed on an annual basis, be distributed to parents, and be made available to the community.

Guidelines

1. New Holland Elementary will convene an annual Title I meeting or event for families of participating children.  New Holland Elementary will make efforts to determine the most convenient times to provide flexibility for participating parents and families (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(2)). The meeting will provide information including:

a. a review of the requirements, and the rights for parents to be involved (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(I)).

b. a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessments used to measure student progress, and the achievement levels of the challenging State academic standards (ESSA, Section 1116(c)4)(B)).

c. information to better understand the challenging State academic standards, State and local academic assessments, and how to monitor a child's progress and work with teachers to improve the achievement of their children (ESSA, Section l l 16(6)(e)(l)).

d. materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children's achievement, to foster parent involvement (ESSA, Section 1116(6)(e)(l)).

2. New Holland Elementary will convene at least one Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting annually to:

a. review and gather feedback on the school’s Parent and Family Engagement policy.  (ESSA, Section 1116(b)(1)).  

b. develop/review the parent-school compact which outlines:

i. the school's responsibility to provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables the children served under this part to meet the challenging State academic standards, and the ways in which each parent will be responsible for supporting their children's learning; volunteering in their child's classroom; and participating, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children and positive use of extracurricular time (ESSA, Section (d)(l)); and

ii. addresses the importance of communication between teachers and parents on an ongoing basis through, at a minimum

1. parent-teacher conferences annually and as needed  

2. reasonable access to staff, opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child's class, and observation of classroom activities; and ensuring regular twoway, meaningful communication between family members and school staff, and, to the extent practicable, in a language that family members can understand (ESSA, Section 1l 16(d)(2)(A-D)).

3. New Holland Elementary will involve parents in planning, reviewing, and improving the Title I program as well as evaluating the school’s parent and family engagement program  (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(3)) through the annual meeting and a survey collected in the Spring of each school year.

4. New Holland Elementary will provide parents of participating children timely information about the Title I Program and Title I events (ESSA, Section 1 I 16(c)(4)(A)) and to the extent that practicable, in a language the parents and family can understand (ESSA, Section 1116(6)(e)(5)).

5. New Holland Elementary will provide, if requested by parents, opportunities for regular meetings with teachers to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and respond to any suggestions as soon as practicably possible (ESSA, Section 1l 16(c)(4)(C))

6. New Holland Elementary will hold an annual training with staff to review how to communicate and build ties between families and the school (ESSA, Section l l l 6(6)(e)(3)).

7. New Holland Elementary will to the greatest extent feasible and appropriate, coordinate and integrate family engagement programs with other school programs. (ESSA, Section 1116(6)(e)(4)). 

This template can be used when meeting with parents and family members annually to discuss the parent and family engagement policy at the school level. It is important to maintain agendas and sign in sheets for compliance. Listed below are each of the parent and family engagement requirements under Section 1116 of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Please use the guiding questions to indicate what is done at your school to meet each of the requirements. This does not need board approval.

1. The policy states how the LEA involves parents and family members in the joint development of the Title I Plan (Title I Application) (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(A)).

How will the LEA involve parents and family members in the development of the Consolidated Application?

Each year the district conducts a survey of Title I Parents to gather input about the effectiveness of the program and to gather input about which programs areas funds should be allocated. The district elementary schools also convene Parent Advisory Committees (PAC) which give feedback into programming and how parent involvement funds should be allocated.

2. The policy states how the LEA involves parents and family members in the process of school review and improvement (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(A)).

How will the LEA involve parents and family members in school review and improvement?

Each school administrator meets regularly with the Parent and Teacher Organization (PTO) in each school. At these meetings, input into instruction and activities, as well as identifying what is going well and where improvements are needed is given by the community members, families, and parents present at the meeting. In addition, building administrators solicit input from parents through surveys, parent/teacher conferences, and other informal meetings so that the administrator has a good understanding of the school perception in the community.

3. The policy states how the LEA provides technical assistance and support to schools in planning and implementing effective parent and family engagement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(B)).

How will the LEA provide technical assistance to schools?

The LEA supports each elementary school in carrying out parent and family engagement activities focused on supporting academic achievement based on the needs of each building. These activities may include but are not limited to parent open houses, and other family engagement events, such as book reads, game nights, and family nights, which support academic achievement.

4. The policy states how the LEA will coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies with other Federal, State, and local laws and programs (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(C)).

How will the LEA coordinate with other Federal, state and local laws and programs? 

The LEA has a collaborative team at the District level who work together on all aspects of Federal, State, and Local grant programs. The team works with building administration and parent/family groups with learners involved in programs covered under all grant programs to effectively program for parent/family involvement that supports all learners to the greatest extent possible. A meeting schedule is determined throughout the year so all members of the team are updated on what the District is doing for parent/family involvement so all members can participate if applicable in activities.

5. The policy states how the LEA conducts, with the meaningful involvement of parents and family members, an annual evaluation of the content and the effectiveness of the parent and family engagement policy in improving the academic quality of all schools, including identifying

○ barriers to greater participation by parents and family members, with particular attention to parents who are economically disadvantaged, are disabled, have limited English proficiency, have limited literacy, or are of any racial or ethnic minority background;

○ the needs of parents and family members to assist with the learning of their children, including engaging with school personnel and teachers; and strategies to support successful school and family interactions. (ESSA. Section 1116(a)(2)(D)(i-iii).

How does the LEA evaluate the parent and family engagement in all schools?

Each year the LEA conducts a survey of Title I Parents to gather input about the effectiveness of the program and to gather feedback about the effectiveness of our family engagement policy and programs, specifically, what are the barriers to participation in the events, and the needs of families in supporting their children.

6. The policy states how the LEA will use the findings of the annual evaluation to design evidence based strategies for more effective parent and family involvement, and revise, if necessary, the Parent and Family Engagement Policy (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(E)). The policy states how the LEA involves parents and family members in the activities of the school, which may include establishing a parent advisory board comprised of a sufficient number and representative group of parents or family members to adequately represent the needs to the population; revising; and reviewing the Parent and Family Engagement Policy (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(F)).

Are there any additional ways the LEA involves parent and family members, like a Parent Advisory Council (PAC)?

The district elementary schools convene Title I Parent Advisory Committees (PAC) on which the LEA is represented. The LEA presents the summary of feedback from the annual parent survey at each building PAC meeting and strategies for increasing family engagement are discussed. Engagement plans are reviewed and revised, as needed, at the PAC meetings. 

Use of Funds Please note: this section only needs to be included in the policy if the LEA receives $500,000 and more. For all other LEAs this section can be deleted.

7. For those LEAs that receive $500,000 and more in Title I funds, please choose one of the following and describe how it is carried out at the LEA. If the LEA reserves $500,000 or more and are required to set aside 1%, funds shall be used to carry out activities and strategies consistent with the LEA's parent and family engagement policy, including not less than one of the following:

Supporting schools and nonprofit organizations in providing professional development for LEA and school personnel regarding parent and family engagement strategies, which may be provided jointly to teachers, principals, other school leaders, specialized instructional support personnel, paraprofessionals, early childhood educators, and parents and family members (ESSA, Section 116(3)(D)(i)).

Supporting programs that reach parents and family members at home, in the community, and at school. (ESSA, Section 1116(3)(D)(ii)).

Disseminating information on best practices focused on parent and family engagement, especially best practices for increasing the engagement of economically disadvantaged parents and family members (ESSA, Section 1116(3)(D)(iii)).

Collaborating, or providing subgrants to schools to enable such schools to collaborate with, community-based or other organizations or employers with a record of success in improving and increasing parent and family engagement (ESSA, Section l l 16(3)(D)(iv)).

Engaging in any other activities and strategies that the LEA determines are appropriate and consistent with the LEA's Parent and Family Engagement Policy (ESSA, Section l 116(3)(D)(v)).

The LEA supports various events which are focused on family engagement in the learning process. Each year, Title I families are invited to participate in a Title I open house where they are able to visit their child and observe strategies teachers use when teaching their child Reading or Math skills. Each year parents are invited to at least one parent-teacher conference to review their child’s progress. Each Title I school building holds a family engagement event where strategies for working with their child are discussed. Parents are also provided with materials which can be used at home to help their child. Families are provided summer materials such as workbooks or online resources to use as a family over the summer to maintain skills. At one of the events above, a Title I informational session or presentation is provided which outlines information about the Title I program, curriculum, assessments, and other resources.