Parental Involvement: Best Practices

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Parental InvolvementBest Practices
Silvia Villa Illinois Welcoming Centers,
Director Tel. [phone] Email
Silvia.Villa_at_illinois.gov
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• I. Philosophical foundation
• The Four faces of our being by Dr. David Avalos
• Funds of Knowledge by Luis Moll
• Web of Support Diagram
• II. Encouraging Parent Involvement
• Best Practices Checklist
• Parent Resources
• III. Parent Program Action Plan
• Activities
• Calendar
• Parent Mentors

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Funds of Knowledge by Luis Moll

• Dr. Moll has conducted extensive research in this
  area and his findings and articulation has given
  way to national models that are creating success
  for immigrant and/or Second language learners.
• Funds of knowledge is defined by researchers Luis
  Moll, Cathy Amanti, Deborah Neff, and Norma
  Gonzalez (2001) to refer to the historically
  accumulated and culturally developed bodies of
  knowledge and skills essential for household or
  individual functioning and well-being (p. 133).

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Parents The Four Faces of their Being by David
Abalos

• Personal Accepting parents for who they are.
  They are accepted as co-constructors of
  knowledge. They are an asset, not a barrier.
• Historical They have a rich history to share
  with the children and the school staff. Only
  they can tell their personal story in their own
  voice. By allowing parents to narrate their
  story they will attain a sense of ownership and
  responsibility for their childrens education,
  which essentially benefits the school.
• Political By providing parents a list of
  activities they can implement, they will actually
  have a choice in their participation. Choice
  creates innovation and access.
• Sacred Allows parent to share their most valued
  beliefs without shame

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Best Practices Checklist for Parents

• Are parents welcomed by a greeter?
• Are you accepting alternative forms of ids to
  enter the building such as the matricula or
  electoral card from another country?
• Has someone in the school staff/teacher been
  identified to be the liaison between the parents
  and the school?
• Is there someone that speaks their language?
• Are bulletins Multilingual?
• Is there a room where parents can go to and meet
  with other parents (Parent Resource Room)?
• Is there a consistent parent program?

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Checklist (continued)

• Is there a parent training program?
• Is there a formal process to include parents in
  the planning of eventssuch as a mentoring or
  volunteer program?
• Have all our teachers had training to help them
  use a student's family, language, and culture as
  a foundation for learning?
• Do you have a yearly(semester) parent calendar
  program that meets the state/federal
  requirements, but also includes the needs and
  interest of the parents?

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Checklist (continued)

• Are you using a baseline survey to capture the
  interest of the parents, their skills and their
  potential for volunteering or becoming mentors
• Can your Program serve the whole family?
• Age appropriate activities?

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Parent Program Activities

• Classes
• ESL
• Spanish Literacy
• Computer classes
• Workshops
• Self-development
• Academic readiness
• Transition activities
• Leadership training
• Conferences
• College Fieldtrips

• Parent Leadership Conference
• College Field Trips
• Parent Professional Development
• Book Clubs
• Walk for Success
• Novelas/Soap Operas

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Understanding Letter Grades and Grade Point
Average (GPA)
Sample
Report card grades in Latin America
Grade Point Average in High School
Grade Scale
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Computer Classes
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Computer Classes
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Sample Calendar

• Monday and Wednesday
• Drop-in from 2 to 4pm
• Computer Classes level I Book Club from 6pm to
  8pm
• Tuesday and Thursday
• Drop-in from 2pm to 4pm
• Computer Class II
• Book Club from 6pm to 8pm

• Third Thursday of the month
• Resource room open from 2pm to 8pm M-Thr
• Workshops
• 4th Saturday of the month
• College Filed Trips

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Parent Resource Rooms

• Books
• Telephone, Computer, and Printer
• Desk
• A round table or a long table for other parents
• to come and plan
• College resources
• Community resources
• State resources
• Educational posters
• List of key school staff

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Parent Mentor Program

• Train Parents to become Mentors
• Leadership training
• School rules and policies
• School expectations
• Learning for learning
• Non-traditional methods in reading and math
• Academic readiness
• College Awareness

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Padres Maestros de la Comunidad

• Formalize Relationships
• Develop Volunteer Protocol
• Hire Parent Mentors
• Develop a Long-term Vision
• Share and plan with your Parent Mentors
• example
• yr. 1 Volunteer
• yr. 2 Mentor

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Parent voices

• MI PRIMER PROYECTO
• Mi nombre es Veronica Perez
• Estas clases me han ayudado aprender porque me
  identifico sobre los temas que tratamos
• sobre la familia nos ayuda las diferentes
  opiniones.
• Los maestros nos dan la confiansa de expresar
  nuesras opiniones y nos ayudan a balorar a
  nustros hijos.
• La lectura nos ayuda para enseñarles a nuestros
  hijos el amor por la lectura

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Contact Information

• NEIU-Chicago Teachers Center
• Wendy Stack, Executive Director
• Email w-stack_at_neiu.edu
• Gina Gamboa
• Director of Bilingual Programs
• Email g-gamboa_at_neiu.edu