Amendment 66 – Colorado Commits to Kids Campaign
Colorado state representatives passed a bill that shifts the way we fund public education in the state, and increases
funding by asking voters to raise $950 million in new revenue.
If passed in November, we would prioritize the following six areas:
Individualized Instruction
Preschool Programs
Enrichment Programs
Reduce class sizes, offer tutoring
interventions to students
Expand preschool programming to
all students
Increase access to the arts
Expanded Academic Time
21st Century Learning
School Maintenance
Length time to enable enrichment
and tutoring; reducing summer
learning loss
Prepare students for 21st century
careers by investing in classroom
technology
Increase funding to maintain the
aging facilities that our students
learn in
Superintendent Tom Boasberg
District Expectations for Parent Involvement
• Parents as active participants in
school-based governance councils
• Parents as active participants on district
and community initiatives
• Parents as academic partners
Superintendent Tom Boasberg
What the research says…
Thirty years of research confirms that when parents are effectively
engaged in their children’s education, students:





earn higher grades
receive higher test scores
attend school more regularly
demonstrate more positive attitudes and behaviors
graduate from high school at higher rates and are more likely
to enroll in higher education
U.S. Department of Education (1998), Family Involvement in Children’s Education
The research is clear…
Studies show that, regardless of the
economic, ethnic, or cultural background
of the family, parent involvement in a
child’s education is a major factor in
determining the child’s success in school.
National PTA, 2002
Higher
impact on
student
achievement
Lower
impact on
student
achievement
Parent
coordinators
Fundraisers
Parent training
events
Parent
volunteering
Parent resource
rooms
Potlucks
Parent social
services
Student
performances
Generic school
newsletters
Back to
school night
Goal-setting
talks
Regular, personalized
communication
Parent-teacher
conferences
Positive phone
calls home
Interactive homework, trips,
and tools for home learning
Weekly datasharing folders
Home
visits
Classroom observations
or mini-lessons
PARENT TEACHER HOME VISIT
It started with 1 School
PARENT TEACHER HOME VISIT
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
48
35
23
5
Patsy Roybal
Director of Research & Training
Family Engagement Standards
What are the Family Engagement Standards
and what do they mean?
Family Engagement Standard #1
Standard 1. Creating a Culture that Embraces Family and Community Engagement: School staff creates an environment that values family and
community engagement in student learning and is respectful, welcoming, and responsive.
Indicators
Exemplary Quality of Implementation

Families, schools and
communities are
active academic
partners



•

Fosters a respectful,
welcoming, and
responsive
environment

The principal and school leaders set the expectations that families and community share responsibility for student
achievement by developing a school culture with corresponding policies and procedures for an on-going, open, two-way
communication between parents, the community and the school.
School provides regular progress updates, including successes and challenges, and communicates overall and grade-specific
academic expectations and learning to families and community members in the language of the students and their families.
The school identifies and integrates resources and services from the community to strengthen school-based services and
offerings for student learning and development.
The school taps into families' talents, cultural heritage, language, skills and knowledge to strengthen curriculum, student and
family activities, and learning.
School has a communication plan to effectively communicate with parents and the community on a frequent and regular basis
throughout the school year, formally and informally, in the languages spoken by the parents and the community.
Office staff are trained in culturally responsive customer service and are welcoming and respectful. When possible, office
staff should reflect the languages and cultures of the community.
o
School staff are informed and knowledgeable about all activities related to the school and provide accurate and
timely information to parents and demonstrate a commitment to find information that may not be readily available.
o
The school has dedicated space, venue, and opportunities for families and the community to network and share
news, updates, resources, and their needs.
The school has an administrator, teachers and additional staff members trained and designated to listen to parents to
address their concerns, suggestions and/or positive feedback for school improvement.
Family Engagement Standards #2
Standard 2. Volunteering, Decision-Making, and Collaborating: The school shares responsibility, offers opportunities, and removes obstacles for
families to be partners in the school and student learning.
Indicators
Exemplary Quality of Implementation

The school has policies, procedures and processes to actively consult with families from diverse backgrounds and
Provides opportunities
solicit feedback before making important decisions such as changes in curriculum, school policies and new school
for collaboration and
programs; and communicates decisions to families in a timely and effective manner.
decision-making

Parent, school, and DPS community committees, such as CSC, ELA PAC, and the Superintendent Parent Forum
are fully functioning and abide by policies and procedures.

Provides opportunities
for volunteering and
school engagement
o
o
o
o
o


Ensures accessible
programming and
removes obstacles to
participation
The school has an effective volunteer and engagement program developed collaboratively with parents which
includes:
Assigning a point person(s) to organize and oversee efforts;
Training for teachers and staff on how to effectively utilize parent and community volunteers;
Orientation, training, supervision, support, evaluation, feedback, and recognition of the volunteers;
A variety of opportunities for family and community members to participate throughout the year;
Volunteer and school engagement opportunities that are publicly communicated and open to all.
School staff takes responsibility to identify and remove barriers to family engagement related to race, ethnicity,
language, culture, socio-economic status, family structure, religion, and families with special needs.
Policies and procedures are in place to ensure that all families and students have access to school-sponsored
programs and events, including academic services. Policies and procedures include, but are not limited to:
o
Locations of the activities are easily accessible and activities are offered during times and dates when
families are most likely to attend.
o
Advanced notice is provided with details of the activities so that families can make accommodations, if
needed.
o
There is no cost or very little cost to participate.
o
Services, such as childcare and interpretation, are always made available to families to maximize
participation and outreach.
o
When possible, provide food and beverages to create a more welcoming environment.
Family Engagement Standards #3
Standard 3. Supporting Student Learning and Success: The school and families work together to support student learning and success. The school keeps
parents informed about their child’s academic progress and how the school is performing; and actively engages parents as academic partners.
Indicators
Exemplary Quality of Implementation

Develops the family’s
ability to strengthen
student learning



Understands and
responds to students'
background and needs
Ensures that teachers
and school staff
communicate with
parents about student
progress and link
student work to
academic standards
and learning


The school has structures in place to offer all parents ongoing trainings and resources to build their capacity and actively
engage them in their children's education.
All teachers and school staff communicate with parents about specific ways to support their students' academic
achievement at home.
The school provides multiple opportunities to make individual and positive connections with families to build
relationships.
Throughout the year, the school creates opportunities for families and students to participate in learning and engaging
activities together.
Teachers, school staff and parents discuss students’ individual learning styles, strengths, academic and personal needs.
Together they develop learning goals to support academic success at school and at home.
Teachers, school staff and parents discuss students’ and their family’s cultural background, language and experiences that
may impact student learning and align support to provide opportunities for success.

All teachers and school staff establish and communicate grade-specific learning, expectations, and responsibilities for all parents, teachers and students.

Teachers and school staff provide monthly classroom and student updates, including successes and challenges.
Breakout Session
(10:05-11:15 AM)
Elementary/
Middle School
High School
School
SpanishSpeaking
Breakout Session
(7:05-8:15 PM)
SpanishSpeaking
K-8 School
High School
Save the Date!
Tuesday,
th
December 10
Park Hill Golf Club