Jefferson County Schools
Family and Community
Engagement Plan
Family Engagement Standards
Executive Summary and Background
In April 2005, Jefferson County Schools completed the
Family Friendly Schools Institute provided by the Tennessee State Department of
Education. The three day session focused
on means and methods to increase family and community involvement in the local
school. The following Family and
Community Engagement Plan is based on the concept that families have a major
influence on their children's achievement in school and through life. As a result of this influence, positive
results with student achievement occur when schools, families, and community
groups work together to support learning.
The focus of the Plan is to build trusting, collaborative
relationships among teachers, families, and community members. It also recognizes, respects, and addresses
families' needs, as well as class and cultural differences. The Family and Community Engagement Plan was
developed with input from local stakeholders - administrators, teachers, staff
members, school board representatives, students, parents, and community
leaders.
Every school in the district has received a copy of this
plan and will be expected to incorporate the standards as part of its own
parent involvement plans. The principals
in this district have received training concerning the Family Friendly Schools
Initiative and are working to include parents in all aspects of their
respective schools. The Family and
Community Engagement Plan is a working document and will continue to grow and
develop as the current process is evaluated annually for effectiveness. All stakeholders will be involved in the
evaluation process.
Purpose
The Jefferson County Schools
Family and Community Engagement Standards were developed to:
- Set expectations for family and community
involvement at both the district and individual school levels.
- Ensure that programs, activities and procedures
in all schools are planned and operated with meaningful consultation with
parents.
- Provide full opportunities for the participation
of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities,
and parents of migratory children.
Use
The following standards are
intended to be used to:
- Develop family and community engagement
programs.
- Set goals and priorities related to family and
community involvement.
- Evaluate current programs for compliance with
the district wide policy.
DISTRICT LEVEL
Standard D1:
There is a district policy for parent and community involvement, adopted
by the
Indicators:
1. There is a
written policy document that is on file and is available to all stakeholders.
2. The district's
family and community involvement policy is available in English and other languages, as needed.
Standard D2:
The district leadership actively supports the involvement of parents and
community members in all schools.
Indicators:
3. Measurable
goals for increasing family and community involvement are included in each School Improvement Plan.
4. The district
provides adequate personnel and monetary support to increase family and community involvement at the individual school
level.
5. The Family
Resource Center is provided to ensure families have access to appropriate services and receive assistance as needed.
6. Staff
development is provided for school personnel on how to increase the
level and quality of family and community involvement.
Standard D3: The
district leadership actively pursues the involvement of families and community
members in the education process.
Indicators:
7. District level
personnel distribute information to families and community members through a variety of methods: newspaper, Internet/websites, newsletters, etc.
8. The district
works collaboratively with other local agencies and organizations to improve family and community involvement in
the schools. Organizations to include:
Standard D4:
District level personnel are expected to be friendly and respectful and
to treat families as partners in their children's education.
Indicators:
9. All families
are welcome at the district office and receive quality customer service, regardless of race, color, national origin,
sex, disability, or age.
SCHOOL LEVEL
Standard S1: Family
and Community Engagement is incorporated into the School Improvement Plan.
Indicators:
10. Action items
in the School Improvement Plan relate to family involvement and its contribution to students' academic
achievement.
11. The School
Improvement Plan is developed by all stakeholders - administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community members.
Standard S2:
The faculty and staff use a variety of ways to involve parents and
community members in the education process.
Indicators:
12. Family and
community programs are offered at various times throughout the school year and the school day.
13. A minimum of
two Open Houses/Parent Teacher Conferences are held
each year.
14. Funds are
designated for family and community involvement events.
Standard S3:
The school is responsive to the needs of its families and community
members.
Indicators:
15. All families
are welcome at the school and receive quality customer
service, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
16. Principals are
encouraged to identify any barriers to parent involvement. Resources are provided in English and
appropriate languages for students
and parents.
17. Events at the
school are publicized well in advance through a variety of medias.
CLASSROOM LEVEL
Standard C1: Classroom
teachers are expected to be friendly and respectful and to treat families as
partners in their children's education.
Indicators:
18. Teachers
provide families with information concerning their child's curriculum and outline expectations
for successful academic achievement.
19. Teachers and
parents are in frequent, two-way communication concerning
a child's progress in school.
20. Families are
kept up to date on their child's progress by a variety of methods:
newsletters, notes, phone calls, etc.
Standard C2:
Teachers value the uniqueness of each child and respect the family's
experiences, knowledge, and culture.
Indicators:
21. Families are
invited to share their experiences, knowledge, and culture with other students in the school.
22. Teachers are
trained in multi-cultural, gender-fair, and disability-aware practices and use them in working with
families.
23. All families are welcome by the teacher and receive
quality customer service,
regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
HOME LEVEL
Standard H1:
The family has high but reasonable expectations for their child's
academic achievement.
Indicators:
24. Children's
achievement is encouraged through positive reinforcement and modeling appropriate behavior such as
love of learning and discipline.
25. There is a
genuine interest by parents and community members in a child's growth, development, and achievement.
26.
The family has clear rules and consequences.
27. Parents make
sure their children go to school on time and attend school regularly.
Standard H2:
Family and community members actively support the school and district's
efforts to provide a quality education to all students.
Indicators:
28. Parents and
community members are actively involved at the school by volunteering in the classroom, serving on committees,
attending conferences, and
organizing events.
29. Parents and
community members are involved in district initiatives by serving on committees and attending
meetings/activities.
30. Parents and
community members communicate to the school staff what they expect of the school in an appropriate and
respectful manner.
Anyone desiring additional information concerning
parent and community engagement may go to the county website at
http://jc-schools.net.
To access the state Report Card for Jefferson County
Schools, use the following directions:
1. Go to http://jc-schools.net
2. On the right side of the screen under Quick
Links, click on Report Card.
3. This link takes you to the state
webpage. Under "View System Report
Card", click the drop down menu and select Jefferson County.
4. Click on Go.
5. The information presented is for the entire
school system. To view your child's
school, scroll to the bottom of the first screen and select the school of interest
in the drop down menu.
6. Click on Go.