Parent engagement newsletter, 2014 Spring

"Successfully Engaging Georgia's Parents"
Parent Engagement Newsletter

Spring 2014

"Headed in the Right Direction"

Like most parents in Georgia, it is important for me to know what my child is learning in school and to monitor her progress throughout the year. As a parent of a high school senior, I especially want to see that my child is receiving a rigorous education that will prepare her for post-secondary plans. While the countless nights spent reading to my child may be a distant memory, I am still able to find other ways to be active in her education. One of the best ways for parents to be involved

is to stay informed of the latest educational news.
As State School Superintendent, I have the opportunity to share news and updates with parents about education in Georgia. Many parents may not know that Georgia was recently ranked 17th in the nation for K-12 Achievement by Education Week's 2014 Quality Counts Survey, which measures scores on national exams, graduation rates and improvement over time. While

there is still room for growth, it is encouraging to see our schools showing great progress and moving in the right direction. This good news is a reflection of the outstanding teachers and staff in our schools, as well as the support and hard work of parents like you.
With this news of encouraging progress for Georgia's public schools, I ask that you continue being involved and informed parents I know that I will!

-Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

Family Engagement in the FieSltdories of Success This is a series of articles written for parents by parent involvement coordinators.

"Returning to Greatness"

The last three years have importantly, we focused on the opportunity to engage in been a time of hard work, improving positive and two-way meaningful conversations to

dedication, and commitment for communications with parents. improve student achievement.

the parents, students, faculty and Therefore, we sent parents Now we see families and students

staff at Kendrick High School. weekly emails notifying them take pride in their school. As

We faced an uphill struggle to about upcoming events as well a result of this team effort, we

improve student achievement and as postcards sharing good news are proud of the fact that our

increase our graduation rate, but about the academic achievements graduation rate has increased by

we did not face this struggle alone. of their students. Parents were 12.9% as we continue to work to

Parental input and involvement also provided the opportunity to return Kendrick High School to

were an essential part in changing receive helpful information and greatness.

the school culture and returning Kendrick to greatness.
After listening to concerns from

participate in conversations with staff members at all school events and activities.

Angela Fontain Family Services Coordinator Kendrick High School

parents, we realized that a lack Thanks to the voice of our Muscogee County

of communication between the school and parents was creating a barrier. When school-family communication improves, parents

families, we realized that there was a communication problem. When parents use their voices, schools can gain new insight and

Are you a family engagement professional interested in sharing your story with parents? Please contact Nate Schult, Parent Engagement Specialist, at

become better informed which ideas to solve a common problem. nschult@doe.k12.ga.us

leads to a greater understanding Through teamwork, we provided

of the school and ways they can our parents, students, and the

support their students. Most local community

What's Inside
The CRCT, EOCT and Other Tests Your Child May Take this Spring 2
Encouraging Your Child to Read 2
High Expectations: Why Setting Them Can be Engaging Enough 3
Signs Your Child May Be a Victim of Bullying 3
Save the Dates 4

02

The CRCT, EOCT

and other tests your child may take this spring

Springtime. The season when the leaves are returning to the trees, flowers are beginning to bloom... and students are preparing for standardized testing. With all of the excitement that the warmer weather brings, it might also bring anxiety and stress to your child

due to the tests that are looming in the air. Here are three common tests that are given in the springtime along with resources you can use

to help prepare your child to take them.

available. For more information and CRCT-M This information is useful for instruction and

study guides and resources visit the DOE's preparation for future writing assessments.

CRCT-M page at http://www.gadoe.org/ For more information and Writing

Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/ Assessment study guides and resources visit

Assessment/Pages/CRCT-M.aspx

the DOE's Writing Assessments page at http://

www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-

End of Course Test (EOCT) - High School and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/Writing-

The EOCT serves as a student's final exam Assessments.aspx

in the associated course. These tests help to

improve performance in all academic areas by assessing specific content knowledge and skills. These assessments provide information to help students identify their strengths as

What Can I Do to Help My Child? Encourage your child to employ good study and test-taking skills.

Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) - Grades 1 - 8 The CRCT is a state test that is designed to measure how well students acquire the state mandated skills and knowledge. This information is used to identify individual student strengths and weaknesses as well as assess the overall quality of education throughout the state of Georgia. The CRCT gives students an opportunity to show what they have learned in school as well as providing teachers with information that helps them plan instruction. For more information and CRCT study guides and resources visit the DOE's CRCT page at http://www.gadoe.org/CurriculumInstruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/ Pages/CRCT.aspx. *A CRCT-Modied (CRCT-M) test specifically tailored for special needs students is also

well as areas of weakness. These tests also provides data to evaluate the effectiveness of classroom instruction at the school system and state levels. For more information and EOCT study guides and resources visit the DOE's EOCT page at http://www.gadoe.org/CurriculumInstruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/
Pages/EOCT.aspx
Writing Assessments - Grades 3, 5, 8, 11 Statewide writing assessments serve the purpose of improving writing and writing instruction. These writing assessments were established in an effort to create a way to accurately assess student development and enhance statewide instruction in the language arts. The writing assessments provide information to students about their writing performance and areas of strength as well as areas where they face challenges.

Explain the purpose of the tests.
Encourage them to try his or her best.
Reassure your child that there will be ample time to take the tests and that it is okay if he or she does not know all the answers.
Be certain your child gets a good night's rest and a nutritious breakfast and lunch.
Make sure your child is at school on time.
Remember to ask your child about the testing at the end of each day.
For the full list of tests and accompanying resources, please visit the DOE's Testing/ Assessment page at: http://www.gadoe.org/ Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/ Assessment/Pages/default.aspx

Encouraging Your Child to Read!
Kids say that their biggest reason for not wanting to read is because they can't find any books that interest them. Of course, this isn't because there is a lack of books on the market, but rather it is likely due to a lack of exposure. Often times, the only contact a child has with a book are the textbooks that they use in school, which they associate with work. Although educators try their best to encourage reading, the bulk of the responsibility of igniting a child's love for reading lies with the parents.
Countless studies have been conducted on how children learn to read, and yet the myth

still exists that reading is a natural process that students just `catch' on to. However, the fact remains that the only way for a child's reading to improve is to practice and read more!
As a parent, you can take your child to the library or bookstore and let them wander the aisles. Introduce them to subjects that they never knew of. Whether it is science

fiction, biographies, or even poetry find out what interests them and pile it on! And remember to be a good reading role model. Children mimic their parents. If they see you constantly reading, they are more likely to read themselves.
To find books your kids will love try Readkiddoread.com or Oprah.com Kids Reading List!

High Expectations:
why setting them can be engaging enough

03

In this day and age with one or both parents working full-time jobs outside of the household, it can be a struggle for a parent to find the time to be engaged in their child's school life. Although helping with homework and volunteering at your child's school are great examples of parent involvement, a parent does not always have to employ such traditional methods to be effective. Simply expressing high academic expectations has proven to be an effective way for parents to become engaged and research shows that high expectations in school lead to high performance.
According to a recent study at the Harvard Family Research Project, "Parents who hold high expectations... communicate them clearly, and encourage their adolescents to work hard in order to attain them, can make a difference in students' success."
While teachers and in-school staff do their best to foster and encourage student achievement, this can not and does not replace the role the parent must play to motivate and reinforce high academic standards in their child. A parent can

"Children respond to an atmosphere of high standards...
they sense when we have faith in them and they love
to justify that faith."
-Former President George W. Bush
encourage student achievement in their child in the following ways:
Help Your Child Set Goals Be involved in helping your child set specific goals. The state standards (which you can find here: https:// www.georgiastandards.org/Standards/Pages/ BrowseStandards/BrowseGPS.aspx) are a good place to start.
Be Susceptible to Change As your child grows and changes, be willing to reassess their capabilities, and set goals that are attainable yet still challenge them.
Maintain a Positive Attitude If your child is working on science homework and you

happen to hate science, don't show it. By conveying to your child that you dislike something because it is difficult, this will show them that it is okay to adopt a negative attitude toward more challenging subjects and discourage them into not trying.
Celebrate Successes Make an effort to constantly reward and encourage good grades this will motivate them to continue to excel in school!

Signs Your Child May Be a Victim Of
bullying

According to NBC News, 1 in 6 children are regularly bullied.

Not all children who are bullied ask for help. Recognizing the warning signs
is an important first step in taking action
against bullying. Some signs that may
point to a bullying problem are:
Unexplainable injuries; lost or destroyed
possssions
Frequent headaches or stomach aches,
feeling sick or faking illness
Changes in eating habits, like suddenly
skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may
come home from school hungry because
they did not eat lunch.
Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares Declining grades, loss of interest in
schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school
Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of

social situations
Feelings of helplessness or low self esteem Self-destructive behaviors
For information on what you can do to stop bullying visit http://www.stopbullying.gov/ what-you-can-do/parents/index.html
And if you suspect your child is being bullied, please visit the DOE's Bullying Prevention Toolkit webpage at: http://www.gadoe.org/ Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/ Curriculum-and-Instruction/Pages/ Bullying-Prevention-Toolkit.aspx for more information and resources.
From stopbullying.gov

Parents!
Have an idea to contribute to the newsletter? Send your Parent involvement ideas and articles to us through your Parent Involvement Coordinator or e-mail us directly. If your idea or article is published, your name will appear in the
newsletter!

04 2014 Family EngIangsepmirenattiCoonnfSerteantcieon

Over 1,200 parents, community partners, and educators gathered at the Classic Center in Athens, GA for the

2014 Family Engagement Conference. Throughout the 3-day conference, white boards were posted in different

locations within the Conference. Attendees were encouraged to write thoughts and messages on what inspired

them throughout the conference. We received hundreds of replies, here are a select few...

B ! Be the "sun-
shine" in the

Parent leadership is necessary!

e positive j

life of a child. Show you care! Caring matters!

Make your school a welcome school!!

It's never too early or too late to I will make a difference Parents are the key!

make a change. Be a leader! in someone's life everyday! Tell children they are important!

Fa mily Engagement is the center for strong student success!

Tell parents they are needed!

March 14, 2014
International Ask a Question Day this day encourages parents to sit down with their children and

April 24, 2014

Save the Dates

allow them to ask questions about Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work

topics of interest.

Day this program was created to inform the future generation

May 3, 2014

of young boys and girls about the National Scrapbooking Day this variety of career paths they can take. day invites scrap bookers all over the

country to celebrate their passion

for scrapbooking! Parents can teach

Program Staff

their children how to scrapbook on this day.

May 6, 2014

National Teacher Day this

Michelle Sandrock, Parent Engagement Program Manager msandrock@doe.k12.ga.us 404-232-1148

Vision Statement

day focuses on teachers who make public schools a great place for students to achieve and soar. This day honors and recognizes our teachers for the contributions they make to our

The Parent Engagement Program believes that

children and families.

Nathan Schult, Parent Engagement Specialist

parents, schools, families, and communities working together can create meaningful partnerships that ultimately

nschult@doe.k12.ga.us lead to significant gains across the board in student achievement.

404-463-1956

Keisha Jeffries, Parent Engagement

Have a Question?
AskDOE

Communications Specialist 404-656-2800 v askdoe@doe.k12.ga.us
kjeffries@doe.k12.ga.us

404-656-2633

We're on the Web! http://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/AskDOE/Pages/Parents.aspx http://www.gadoe.org/School-Improvement/Federal-Programs/Pages/Parent-Engagement-Program.aspx