Parents are Powerful
Worcester Adult Learning Center
Worcester Public Schools
2012
Workshop Overview
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What is parent involvement and why is it
important?
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What can parents do to get more
involved in their children’s education?
YOU make a BIG Difference!
Helps your child:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Higher grades
Better attendance and homework
completion
Fewer behavior problems
Higher graduation rate!
YOU make a BIG Difference!
Benefits for the schools:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Improved teacher morale! Happier
teachers!!
Improved school climate!
Better reputations in the community!
Everyone works together!
It’s never too Early or Too Late!
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Begin early to know and support your
child’s development.
Become familiar with participate in your
child's early childhood programs.
Use different strategies to become
involved as your child grows!
Time at home with your child is
Valuable!!

Have high expectations.

Praise your child’s accomplishments.

READ as a Family!

Have a quiet place to study.

Stay involved with education.
YOUR RIGHTS!
Access information about your child’s
school.
 Provide input about your child’s
education.
 Participate in decision making at your
child’s school.

Massachusetts Standards:
Curriculum Frameworks
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Mathematics
Science &
Technology/Engineering
History & Social Science
English Language Arts
World Languages
Health
Art
What is “MCAS?”
MCAS stands for:

 Massachusetts
 Comprehensive
 Assessment
 System
Who takes them?
ALL students in MA
public schools must
take the MCAS.
General Education
 Special Education
 English Language
Learners

MCAS Tests Students in:
Mathematics
 English Language Arts (ELA)
 Science and Technology/ Engineering

To earn a High School Diploma, students MUST:
Score a minimum of 240(Proficiency) on ELA and Math MCAS Tests.
OR
Score a minimum of 220 (Needs Improvement) on ELA and Math
MCAS tests AND complete an Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP).
AND
Score 220 on one high school Science & Technology/Engineering
MCAS test.
3 Report Cards???
YES!
 1. Student Report Card- information
about your child’s classroom
performance.
 2. MCAS Parent/Guardian Report- how
did you child perform on the MCAS?
 3. School Report Card- report on the
SCHOOL’S Performance in teaching all
children!
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At Home…..
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They are watching YOU!
Make sure your child goes
to school everyday!
Good Study habits!
LIMIT and SUPERVISE
“Screen Time”.
Go to the LIBRARY!
READ with them, listen to
the read to you!
TALK and ASK questions!!

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Be a role model by reading
regularly.
Review their homework at
a scheduled time each
night.
PRAISE them for a good
job!!
Use daily activities to find
ways to teach them!
BE INVOLVED!
Get involved with the SCHOOL!
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Talk to your child’s
teacher OFTEN!
Attend parentteacher conferences.
ASK Questions!
Join the school
council.
Get to know your
child’s friends!
Parent’s Frequently Asked
Questions about Education
WHAT CAN I DO IF I
DON’T UNDERSTAND
MY CHILD’S
HOMEWORK?
It’s okay!!
Provide support and structure at your home
so your child can do their homework.
 Look for neatness and completeness
 TALK TO THE TEACHER!
 Tell the teacher you are trying to help at
home, but need more support!
 Attend family events at the school, like Math
Nights.

My Child scores in the Warning
Range on MCAS!
Ask the teacher to provide information
about your child’s strengths and
weaknesses!
 Ask the teacher what you can do at home
for extra support for your child.
 Ask for tutoring, after school help or
summer support for your child.

What if my child needs special help?
Talk with the teacher!
 Seek help from the specialists at school,
e.g., reading teacher, counselor.
 If your child is not in the right program
ASK for a change!
 Ask for extra tutoring programs before
or after school.
 If more help is needed, consider begining
evaluations under Special Education.

My child is just learning English…
Your child must receive quality education,
by a highly qualified teacher.
 Must learn English and other subjects at
the same academic levels as all other
students.
 You must receive information regarding
your child’s performance in the language
YOU best understand.

What about Immigration Status?
Students without documentation have the
right to attend public elementary and high
schools.
Public Schools may NOT:
1.
2.
3.
Deny admission to a student based on an
undocumented status.
Require students or parents to disclose their
immigration status.
Require social security numbers to be admitted to
school.
We don’t have a home… but YOU
still have rights!!

Attend school, including public preschool.
Continue in the school they last attended.
Receive transportation to school and school programs.
Participate in a school programs with all other children.
Enroll without giving a permanent address.
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Attend classes immediately.
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Receive the same support and services as other
students.
Obtain free lunch (and breakfast, if offered).
Three Points to Remember!
Your children have the right to a good
education. And you have the rights to see
that they get it.
Educators may be experts in how to
teach, but YOU are experts about your
own children.
Your children NEED YOU to stay
involved all the way through high school!
YOU are the most
important person
in your children’s
lives. No one will
have a bigger
impact on whether
they do well- in
school and through
life! And no one
cares more about
them than you do!!
Only with your guidance and involvement
will your children learn all they need to
succeed in the future!