TEXAS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT CONFERENCE OCT. 2011 Presented by: Gloria Canada, Ed. D. Founder of Circles of Purpose CAPTURE YOUR PARENTS!

TEXAS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT CONFERENCE

OCT. 2011

Presented by: Gloria Canada, Ed. D.Founder of Circles of Purpose

CAPTURE YOUR PARENTS!

THIS IS A PEOPLE BUSINESS…

A) KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY

B) ELIMINATE BARRIERS

C) DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS

C) LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE

Every Family has a Story …

Definitions

Low Income PoorFamilies & children

are defined as low-income if the family income is less than twice the federal poverty threshold.

Data taken from slides (1-10):National Center for Children in

Poverty“Putting Research to Work for

Families & Children”

Families & children are defined as poor if family income is below the federal poverty threshold.

The federal poverty level for a family of four with 2 children was:

$22,050 in 2010 $22,050 in 2009 $22, 200 in 2008

High Risk for Low-IncomeRisk Factors: Low level of Parental Education *

primary risk factor Single Parent Families Having Immigrant Parents

20% of our children have at least one foreign born parent.

58% of children whose parents are immigrants are low-income

Parental Education

Children in Low-Income Families in Texas, by Parents' Education, 2009 86% (1,092,573) of children whose parents do not have a high school degree live in low-income families. 67% (980,498) of children whose parents have a high school degree, but no college education live in low-income families. 30% (1,223,328) of children whose parents have some college or more live in low-income families.

Child’s Race/Ethnicity

Enlarge

Child’s Race/Ethnicity

Children in Low-Income Families in Texas, by Race, 2009 25% (606,873) of white children live in low-income families. 59% (446,194) of black children live in low-income families. 66% (2,116,861) of Hispanic children live in low-income families. 28% (62,609) of Asian children live in low-income families. 40% (6,296)* of American Indian children live in low-income families.

Child’s Age

Children in Low-Income Families in Texas, by Age, 2009 53% (1,275,038) of children, under age 6, live in low-income families. 46% (2,021,361) of children, age 6 or older, live in low-income families.

Residential Move

Children Who Have Recently Moved in Texas, by Income Level, 2009 23% (755,933) of children in low-income families moved last year. 13% (463,281) of children in families that are above low-income moved last year.

A) Know Your Community

Cause & EffectsInstability & Unpredictability

Profound Effects on Children

Missed Rent Payments Frequent Moves Utilities Shut Off Minimum/No Access to

Health Care Unstable Child Care

Arrangements Running Out of Food

Impedes Children’s Cognitive Development

Exacerbates Poor Child Health

Poor Nutrition Adolescent Drop-Outs Low Self-Esteem Lack of “Normal

Experiences” Contributes to Problems:

(linked to parental stress & depression)BehavioralSocialEmotional

Creating Change

Parents Need: Positive Outcomes:

Financial Resources

Social CapitalEducationSocial NetworksBasic Life Skills

Health Care Adequate Housing Adequate Food Stimulating Early

Learning Connection with

Schools Involvement with

Children Reading Attendance at Conferences Homework Hope for the Future

The Invisible Fence Do you have seating for parents to gather outside? Is there ample seating in the front office? Does the receptionist smile easily? Do staff members say, “hello” in passing? Are parents encouraged to come onto the campus? Are “non-academic” events scheduled for families

as well as academic events? Do you know where your students live? Are home visits made? Are classes for parents made available on campus? Is acceptance of diversity evident?

B) ELIMINATE BARRIERS

Breaking the Fence Have non-threatening parent involvement

activities Provide high-interest parent classes Hold meetings at locations accessible to families Provide child care during activities Schedule parent/teacher conferences during convenient

times for parents Provide reading material (open the library)

Magazines on parenting issuesBooks parents to read to their childrenHave meetings at local library so everyone gets a library

card Serve snacks during activities

More…

Offer parent incentives to attend – door prizes Host parent clubs – crafts, computer, knitting, cooking Establish a parent resource room on campus Make home visits Line the walls with photos of your students Make your telephone greeting friendly and bilingual Call to give “good news” Greet parents outside or in the halls

Why?Family involvement may be directly linked to positive student outcomes such as:

Students’ mental healthLack of truancyPrevention from dropping out of

school.

(Cook, Herman, Phillips, & Settersten, 2002)

The Gap The achievement gap closely mirrors inequalities in aspects of schooling, early life, and home circumstances that research has linked to school achievement.

(Barton, 2004)

C) Develop Relationships

Non-Threatening School Involvement High Interest Parent Classes

Jingle Bell WalkPromotes healthy

activities for family wellness

Provides an opportunity for parents to participate in a nonthreatening, non-academic activity

Family Movie Night Watch a G-rated movie on a big screen,

provide popcorn and drinks Community building Incentives for:

Honor rollPerfect attendanceGrade level recognition

Parent/Child Book ClubHome/School literacy connections make a

difference on children’s achievement & reading acquisition

______________________________________Choose high interest books – have students vote

on a book to readProvide opportunity for parents & child to select

the next bookPost their names/pictures on bulletin board or

newsletterIf possible, allow for family to “keep” book when

finished

Festivals and CarnivalsTeachers/committees run

the boothsGamesFace PaintingFood

Invite the entire community

Provides a non-threatening social and fun environment for teachers and their families to mingle with students and their families

Reading CaféStudents prepare a tasty selection

of books and writing samples from the year to share with their families.

Light snacks are provided while the parents select menu items they would like to hear read to them.

Faculty & staff make sure to stop by and listen to students read (whose parents did not/could not attend)

The Power of Family

Don’t Assume …1) Don’t assume students have access to

magazines, references & resources2) Don’t assume students can study at

home3) Don’t assume families will contribute

to fund drives or sales.4) Don’t assume families will call if they

have a question.5) Don’t assume families will confide in

school personnel if you have not established a relationship.

Be Tolerant of …

Irregular attendanceDisorganizationUnreliable transportationFinancial crisisDisruptions in normal family relations

The Next Generation…

D) Look Toward the Future

Between the years 2004 through 2040 the need for

programs which specifically address the needs of the

economically disadvantaged will grow 119.9%

(Steve Murdock, Texas State Demographer, 2007)

Benefits – Reaching out to Families

Circles of Purpose provides families with tools to create a strong foundation for the purpose of student success.

Strengthen the Family FoundationIncrease Communication Establish Good Health and Wellness HabitsImplement a Positive Behavior

ManagementIdentify Achievable GoalsStrengthen Organization Skills

Benefits to the School

The diversity in families can span cultures, languages, socioeconomic status and levels of education. Developing a partnership which is purposeful for the families, the children and the school creates a sense of shared opportunities and achievements.

Increase in Communication Increase in Attendance Increase in Parent Participation Increase in Student Achievement Decrease in Student Discipline Referrals

THIS IS A PEOPLE BUSINESS…

A) KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY

B) ELIMINATE BARRIERS

C) DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS

C) LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE

“If you find it in your heart to care for

somebody else, you will have succeeded.”

Maya Anglou

Back to the Future…

EVERY FAMILYHAS A STORY

Do Not Let Demographics Determine Destiny

Circles of PurposeGloria Canada210-274-7950

[email protected]@circlesofpurpose.com

www.circlesofpurpose.com