Parent & Family Engagement Policy

Title I Parent & Family Engagement Policy

(Discussed at each Title I District Parent Committee Meeting)

Our Parent & Family Engagement Policy:

• Encourages, supports, and values the participation and involvement of parents and families in the educational experiences of their children
• Commits to developing family-friendly schools, offices, and programs that welcome  parents and families to positive and supportive environments
• Recognizes students learn best when families and schools work together, developing relationships of shared responsibility and mutual support
• Assists parents in learning how home environments can support the academic achievement of students
• Offers strategies such as parenting classes, home visitation opportunities, and adult education programs to support parents
• Provides special assistance to ensure that non-English speaking parents may participate as full partners in their child’s education
• Recognizes parents, family and community members make valuable contributions to the educational process as participants in important school and district decisions
• Encourages parents to participate on a school committee that meets 3 times a year, to become members of parent organizations (at schools and district level) and to serve as volunteers for classrooms, school, and district-wide activities.  Meetings and events to be conducted virtually and/or in person.

Title I funds provide many opportunities for parent, family & community engagement

Involve parents with joint development of the District Plan and in the Process of School Review and Improvement.  Meetings and events to be conducted virtually and/or in person. 

• Collaborate with community stakeholders at all levels of District and School Strategic Planning
• School-wide planning teams review the School-wide plans and provide input into revisions, additions and deletions for activities and budget
• Findings from each school’s needs assessment will be utilized
• Present Title I Program/Activities and Requirements of  Title I at Parenting Meetings
• School-wide plans are presented to parents at annual meetings

Provide coordination, technical assistance, and other support necessary to assist participating schools in planning and implementing effective Parent & Family Engagement Activities

• Involve parents and family members in decisions regarding how funds are allotted for Parent and Family Engagement activities
• Not less than 1% of the Title I allocation will be reserved for parent & family engagement activities including family literacy and parenting skills
• Not less than 90% of the funds reserved for parent and family engagement shall be distributed to schools for activities including educational workshops and home visits
• Provide training to school staff, administration, and parents to strengthen parent involvement efforts
• Provide a school counselor program in coordination with mental health counselors for services such as individual and group counseling, home visits, character education, and career education programs
• Provide coordination for effective parent and family engagement through the School’s Improvement Council (SIC)

Build the schools’ and parents’ capacity for strong parental involvement by offering meetings virtually and/or in person.

• Involve parents in the planning of the Title I Plan
• Provide parent conference opportunities
• Provide family nights on literacy, math, assessments, monitoring child progress, science, and state academic standards
• Support and participate in volunteer programs
• Encourage parents to observe in classrooms
• Share results from Response to Intervention (RTI)Teams  that identify and monitor children at risk
• Sponsor Parent/Student Orientation Night

Coordinate and integrate Parent & Family Engagement Strategies under programs, such as Babynet, Child Find, and Preschool Parent Program

• Developmental screenings are available for children from birth to age 2-1/2 years old. For more information or to schedule a screening appointment:   Contact South Carolina Babynet at 1-877-621-0865 Developmental screenings are available for children aged 2-1/2 years old through 5 years old, not enrolled in a public school program.  For more information or to schedule a screening appointment, contact Horry County Schools Preschool Assessment Office at 843-488-6220
• Home visits are available to families with children 16 months to 4 years old to strengthen the family and prepare children to succeed in school by increasing parent-child interactions.  Contact the Preschool Parent Program at 843-222-9959 for more information.  Visits are conducted virtually or in person.
• Parents and family members with children participating in these programs will be encouraged to become involved in all parenting activities.
• Horry County Schools provides two comprehensive Family Literacy Programs. The services include Adult Education, Parenting, Interactive Literacy Activities, and Early Childhood.
• For information concerning early interventions for children and family literacy, contact 488-6230 for more information.

Involve parents and families in the activities of the school served under Title I, Part A.  Offering conferences and workshop opportunities both virtually and/or in person.

• Schedule parent-teacher conferences at various times to accommodate parents’ schedules
• Provide Family Night Workshops
• Encourage two-way communication between home and school through such methods as newsletters, email, phone calls, home visits, parent conferences, and surveys

Conduct (with the involvement of parents, families and community members) an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the Parent & Family Engagement Policy that will determine the effectiveness of the present policy. This includes any barriers to greater participation by families (especially families, who are economically disadvantaged, disabled, have limited English proficiency, have limited literacy, or are a racial or ethnic minority).

• Solicit comments from parents regarding the Parent & Family Engagement Policy through an annual survey conducted at registration and throughout the school year
• Appropriate revisions are made based on suggestions and or recommendations for improvement
• Distribute the final (DRAFT) Parent & Family Engagement Policy to parents in the fall
• Update the policy, as needed. In order to meet the challenging needs of the school, conduct an annual review with all stakeholders.
• Use the findings of the evaluation to design strategies for more effective parent and family engagement activities. Revise the Parent & Family Engagement Policy, as necessary.
• Provide frequent reminders, such as flyers, newsletters, telephone contacts, and email messages to parents and families concerning meetings, workshops, and conferences.

Develop jointly with parents a School-Parent Compact (distributed at the first parent teacher conference).

• Solicit comments from parents regarding the School-Parent Compact.
• Revise, as appropriate, based on suggestions and/or recommendations for improvement.
• Recognize the compact involves parents and family members making a commitment to share the responsibility for their children's performance.
• Recognize the school, parents and family members build and maintain meaningful communication (in a language family members understand) to help the children achieve state standards.
• Offers professional development opportunities for teachers, administrators, and other district employees to enhance the ability of schools to effectively service all students, parents, and families.
• Professional development is offered virtually and/or in person.

Parent’s Right to Know 

Parents have the right to request information about the qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals (District) at the beginning of the school year.

If substitutes (not properly certified) service students for four or more weeks, a letter must be sent to parents explaining the current classroom status (Schools).

To provide feedback or get additional information, contact Michelle Dunsford, Director of Federal Programs at 843-488-7018.  Phone calls to the Office of Federal Programs (if not answered) are returned within 24 hours of the next business day.