Parental involvement is an important element to the Title One school program. Schools must have a policy that encourages parental involvement in the education of their child. Elementary and middle schools must also actively provide projects and activities to get parents and students involved. Getting lower income families involved in schools, however, can be a frustrating challenge. The following four easy-to-implement suggestions will help schools meet the parental involvement requirements of Title 1.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is the statute that authorizes the federal government to provide educational funding to schools. This act gets revised and renewed by Congress every five years to help the government keep up with the needs of schools and the resources needed to provide children with a quality education.
There are many sections and provisions to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Each section addresses specific needs in our education system and provides funding for specific projects. Title 1 (also known as Title I, Part A or Title One) is the section of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that provides funding for schools with larger populations of lower-income families. This Title 1 funding is part of No Child Left Behind Act, which is part of the more recent legislation in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
As of 2010, there are over 50,000 public schools and educational institutions in the United States who receive Title I money. To qualify for funding, a school must have a certain percentage of families who fall under the United States government guidelines for being a low-income family. This percentage has changed over the years, but recently has been set at 40%.
There are strict guidelines to how schools can spend Title 1 funding. Title One grants / funds must be used to help schools meet the educational and graduation goals for their students. Acceptable use of Title 1 money includes funding to improve curriculum, increase teaching and counseling staff, pay for educational enrichment programs and assemblies, and provide after-school and summer tutoring programs to students.
Provide free child care at parent meetings
Parent meetings are an important aspect of parental involvement in a school. Parents in lower income families, however, are less likely to be willing to pay for a baby sitter to watch their kids while they come to attend a school meeting. This then becomes are very easy and convenient for parents to not attend. You can eliminate this excuse by offering to provide free child care at the parent meeting. If you plan a fun activity for the students, such as crafts or an entertainer, they will be excited about the evening and encourage the parents to come.
Have a parents-only party
School parent meetings do not have to be all business. Offer parents an incentive to look forward to coming to a school meeting by scheduling a guest speaker, entertainer, or parents-only ice cream social as part of the night.
Switch to Email Newsletters
Printed school newsletters that are sent home with students are more likely to end up squished in the bottom of a backpack than in the hands of the parents they are intended for. If your school offers an option for email delivery of newsletters, you can at least be sure that the newsletters are arriving to the intended recipients. Title 1 funding could be used to help set-up an email newsletter program, either through your school districts internet website provider, or through an email newsletter company such as Mail Chimp or Constant Contact. Parents can be invited to sign-up their email addresses at open houses and during school registration.
Host hands on educational fun nights
Hosting family nights with math, science or reading themes is a way for parents and students to explore educational concepts beyond the classroom. Stations can be set-up around the school where families can do a fun project, activity or game that ties into the theme. Teachers can be available at each station to encourage discussions with parents, as families rotate through the projects.
The station concept allows for an "open house" format to the evening that will accommodate more schedules. You can encourage families to stay for all activities by ending the evening with special refreshments or a performance by an entertaining presenter who does a science demonstration show, reading program, or show about math. Ending with something extra special will end the evening memorably and give a chance for all the school families to come together. The cost of the station activities and educational entertainment show can qualify for appropriate use of Title I funds.
Parent-teacher groups, principals, and teachers who wish to use Title I money for family activities at the school should consult with the Title I coordinator in your building or school district. They will be able to direct you on how to apply for the funds and how much funding may be available in the Title 1 budget.
In-school assemblies and family night educational enrichment programs offered by Midwest School Shows can be brought into schools using Title 1 grants. The math, science, and social studies presentations are a balance of entertainment and reinforcement of curriculum.