PARENTS AS LEADERS

1

• PARENTS AS LEADERS
• Los Angeles Unified School District
• Division of special Education

2
Objectives

• Building leadership skills for parents to
  participate
• District Validation Review (DVR) Teams
• District Advisory Committees
• Other Division of Special Education Committees

3
What The Research Says

• The more parents participate in schooling, in a
  sustained way, at every level in advocacy,
  decision-making and oversight roles, as
  fundraisers and boosters, as volunteers and
  paraprofessionals, and as home teachers the
  better for student achievement.
• D.L. Williams N.F. Chavkin (1989)
• Essential Elements of Strong Parent Involvement
  Programs Educational Leadership

4
Benefits Of Participating as aLeader in a
Childs Education

• Parents inspire and motivate students to learn
• Improvement in overall student achievement
• Parents build a strong relationship with other
  parents, school and community
• Parents are informed and empowered
• EVERYONE WINS!!!!!

5
Myths of Leadership

• Leadership is a rare skill
• Leaders are born, not made
• Leaders are charismatic
• Leadership exists only at the top
• The leader controls, directs, prods, and
  manipulates
• Leaders have to be good public speakers
• Leaders possess excellent writing skills

6
What is a Leader?

• Answer YES or NO
• A leader is a person who takes charge?
• A leader is a person who settles differences?
• A leader is a person who speaks up and solves
  problems?
• A leader is a good speaker and writer?
• A leader is one who motivates other people to
  become involved?

7
YES, a Leader is

• a person who takes charge
• a person who settles differences
• a person who speaks up and solves problems
• a good speaker and writer
• one who motivates other people to become involved

8
As a Leader

• Parents
• Contribute ideas and suggestions
• Discuss the issues, inquire and advocate
• Do not take things personally
• Maintain the dignity of the child
• Are respectful of encounters
• Collaborate and build relationships
• Maintain focus on the needs of the child

9
Parent Committees

• Parent Committees Exist At Every Tier Of The
  School District

10
The Design of Committees
School Site Educational Service Center Central Level
School Site Council (SSC) Educational Service Center Educationally Disadvantaged Youth (EDY) Delegate Convening District Educationally Disadvantaged Youth Advisory Committee (DEDYAC)
School Advisory Committee (SAC) Educational Service Center ELAC Delegate Convening District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) (Parents of English Learners)
English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
Ad Hoc Committees (Specially-Purposed Committees) Ad Hoc Committees (Specially-Purposed Committees) Ad Hoc Committees (Specially-Purposed Committees)
11
Special Education Committees Trainings

• Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
• Fall Spring Special Education MCD Parent
  Trainings
• Educational Service Center Trainings
  Conferences
• Parent Resource Network (PRN)
• Very Special Arts Festival
• Proactive Parenting Leadership Cadre (PPLC)
• Annual Parent Conference

12

• After-School Programs
• Bulletin Boards
• Campus Supervision Safety
• Classroom Assistant
• Classroom Parent
• Fundraisers
• Homework Assistance

• Office Support
• Parent Committees
• Parent Resource Center
• Plan School Events
• Student Activity Support
• Surrogate Parent

13
Additional Parent Opportunities

• District Validation Review (DVR)
• Community Representative
• Parent Center Liaison
• (not available at all schools)

14
Other Sources Of Information

• Division of Special Education Website
  http//sped.lausd.net
• PCSB 213 481- 3350
• LAUSD Website www.lausd.net
• KLCS Broadcast of LAUSD Board Committees
  Meetings
• KLCS Informational Programming

15
Benefits of Participating as a Leader

• Provide parents a voice in their childs
  education.
• Collaborate with the District in developing
  school policies and procedures
• Provide opportunities to advise the District
  about ways to better serve students and parents
• Assist the District in helping students reach
  their greatest potential
• Inform and empower other parents in order to help
  all students become successful

16
Kahmsamnida