Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools

District Title 1 Parent Involvement Policy

2007-2008

Our purpose is to do whatever it takes for all students to acquire the knowledge and skills to become productive responsible citizens. We believe that when families, schools and common groups work together to support learning, students stay in school longer, attend school more regularly and perform better in school.

Therefore, the following parent involvement policy was jointly developed by parents and school staff in response to input from parent surveys and discussion groups at the school, cluster and district levels.

• All parents will be invited to provide input in the development, implementation and evaluation of the goals and strategies of the School Improvement Plan and the District’s Strategic Plan. Specific parent involvement strategies will be developed to support each School Improvement Plan target.

• All parents will be provided numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful two- way communication with school and district staff regarding all phases of school and or district improvement through a three-tier communication network (School Parent Advisory Council, Cluster Parent Advisory Council and District Parent Advisory Council).

• Parents will receive frequent student and school progress reports including skill proficiency attendance, behavior and effort. Parents will be invited to offer suggestions regarding such progress and schools will respond to those suggestions in a timely manner.

• Each school’s staff and parents will jointly develop strategies for improving the percentage of parents reporting a positive and welcoming environment in their school.

• Parents will be provided numerous opportunities to improve their parenting skills and skills in supporting student learning through workshops, community programs, and advisory groups.

• An annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of each school’s parent involvement policy, including barriers to greater parent participation will be conducted with the involvement of parents.

• The district will coordinate and integrate parental involvement strategies with parental involvement strategies under various federal government and community-based programs.

• The district will provide the coordination, technical assistance, and other support necessary to assist participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent involvement activities.

• All parents will be notified of their rights and responsibilities under the No Child Left Behind Act including staff qualifications, school choice, Supplemental Services, and opportunities to provide input for improvement.

• Meeting times and sites will vary to accommodate various parent needs. Written communication will be provided in an understandable format and language.

Title One does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, handicap, or age.