FLORIDA INTL ACADEMY CHARTER Title I, Part A Parental Involvement Plan

I, Sonia Mitchell , do hereby certify that all facts, figures, and representations made in this application are true, correct, and consistent with the statement of assurances for these waivers. Furthermore, all applicable statutes, regulations, and procedures; administrative and programmatic requirements; and procedures for fiscal control and maintenance of records will be implemented to ensure proper accountability for the expenditure of funds on this project. All records necessary to substantiate these requirements will be available for review by appropriate state and federal staff. I further certify that all expenditures will be obligated on or after the effective date and prior to the termination date of the project. Disbursements will be reported only as appropriate to this project, and will not be used for matching funds on this or any special project, where prohibited.

Assurances

  • The school will be governed by the statutory definition of parental involvement, and will carry out programs, activities, and procedures in accordance with the definition outlined in Section 9101(32), ESEA;
  • Involve the parents of children served in Title I, Part A in decisions about how Title I, Part A funds reserved for parental involvement are spent [Section 1118(b)(1) and (c)(3)];
  • Jointly develop/revise with parents the school parental involvement policy and distribute it to parents of participating children and make available the parental involvement plan to the local community [Section 1118 (b)(1)];
  • Involve parents, in an organized, ongoing, and timely way, in the planning, review, and improvement of programs under this part, including the planning, review, and improvement of the school parental involvement policy and the joint development of the schoolwide program plan under section 1114(b)(2) [Section 1118(c)(3)];
  • Use the findings of the parental involvement policy review to design strategies for more effective parental involvement, and to revise, if necessary, the school’s parental involvement policy [Section 1118(a)(E)];
  • If the plan for Title I, Part A, developed under Section 1112, is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, the school will submit parent comments with the plan when the school submits the plan to the local educational agency [Section 1118(b)(4)];
  • Provide to each parent an individual student report about the performance of their child on the state assessment in at least mathematics, language arts, and reading [Section 1111(h)(6)(B)(i)];
  • Provide each parent timely notice when their child has been assigned or has been taught for four (4) or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified within the meaning of the term in 34 CFR Section 200.56 [Section 1111(h)(6)(B)(ii)]; and
  • Provide each parent timely notice information regarding their right to request information on the professional qualifications of the student's classroom teachers and paraprofessionals [Section (h)(6)(A)].

 

Signature of Principal or Designee

Date Signed

 

Mission Statement



Parental Involvement Mission Statement (Optional)

Response: Florida International Academy Charter School believes that positive parent/family involvement is essential to student achievement and thus encourages such involvement in school educational planning and operations. In the spirit of the District/school/family and community partnerships this plan seeks to strengthen the partnership among parents/guardians, staff, school, the community, the superintendent, and the District by providing for parents' involvement in decision making as members of school-based planning teams, local parent groups, and the District-wide committees. Expanding training programs that help the individual parent support their child at home will further strengthen this partnership.

Involvement of Parents



Describe how the school will involve parents in an organized, ongoing, and timely manner, in the planning, review, and improvement of Title I programs including involvement in the decisions regarding how funds for parental involvement will be used [Sections1118(c)(3), 1114(b)(2), and 1118(a)(2)(B)].

Response: Involve parents in the planning and implementation of the Title I Program and extend an open invitation to our school's parent resource center in order to inform parents regarding available programs, their rights under No Child Left Behind and other referral services.

Increase parental engagement/involvement through developing (with on-going parental input thru EESAC) our school's Title I School-

Parent Compact; our school's Title I Parental Involvement Plan; scheduling the Title I Annual Meeting; and other

documents/activities necessary in order to comply with dissemination and reporting requirements.

Conduct informal parent surveys to determine specific needs of our parents, and schedule workshops, Parent Academy

Courses, etc., with flexible times to accommodate our parents' schedules. This impacts our goal to empower parents and build

their capacity for involvement.

Complete Title I Administration Parental Involvement Monthly School Reports (FM-6914 Rev. 06-08) and the Title I Parental

Involvement Monthly Activities Report (FM-6913 03-07), and submit to Title I Administration by the 5th of each month as

documentation of compliance with NCLB Section 1118. Additionally, the M-DCPS Title I Parent/Family Survey, distributed to

schools by Title I Administration, is to be completed by parents/families annually in May. The Survey's results are to be used to

assist with revising our Title I parental documents for the approaching school year.

Coordination and Integration



Describe how the school will coordinate and integrate parental involvement programs and activities that teach parents how to help their children at home, to the extent feasible and appropriate, including but not limited to, other federal programs such as: Head Start, Early Reading First, Even Start, Home Instruction Programs for Preschool Youngsters, the Parents as Teachers Program, public preschool, Title I, Part C, Title II, Title III, Title IV, and Title VI [Section 1118(e)(4)].

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Program

Coordination

1

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act(IDEA)

Supplemental Instruction support provided by Title I will be discussed with parents during the development of the students IEP.

Annual Parent Meeting



Describe the specific steps the school will take to conduct an annual meeting designed to inform parents of participating children about the school’s Title I program, the nature of the Title I program (schoolwide or targeted assistance), Adequately Yearly Progress, school choice, supplemental educational services, and the rights of parents. Include timeline, persons responsible, and evidence the school will use to demonstrate the effectiveness of the activity [Section 1118(c)(1)].

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Activity/Tasks

Person Responsible

Timeline

Evidence of Effectiveness

1

Develop agenda, handouts, and/or presentation materials that address the required documents

Principal / AP/ CIS

September through March

Copies of agenda/handouts

2

Develop and disseminate invitations

Principal / AP/ CIS

September

Flyers with date of dissemination posting on school Website

3

Advertise/publicize event

CIS and Teachers

September

Posting on school website

4

Develop sign-in sheets

CIS

September through March

Sign-in sheets for meeting and individual classrooms

5

Maintain documentation

Assistant Principal / CIS

September through March

Title I document box housed in Assistant principal's Office

Flexible Parent Meetings



Describe how the school will offer a flexible number of meetings, such as meetings in the morning or evening, and may provide with Title I funds, transportation, child care, or home visits, as such services related to parental involvement [Section 1118(c)(2)].

Response: CIS will contact parent throuout year to advise of parent workshops and planned parent activities. CIS also makes home visits to parents when a need arise.

Building Capacity



Describe how the school will implement activities that will build the capacity for strong parental involvement, in order to ensure effective involvement of parents and to support a partnership among the school involved, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement [Section 1118(e)]. Describe the actions the school will take to provide materials and training to help parents work with their child to improve their child’s academic achievement [Section 1118(e)(2)].Include information on how the school will provide other reasonable support for parental involvement activities under Section 1118 as parents may request [Section 1118(e)(14)].

count

Content and Type of Activity

Person Responsible

Anticipated Impact on Student Achievement

Timeline

Evidence of Effectiveness

1

Sunshine State Standards/Next Generation Standards; Hard Copy of dissemination of materials

Curriculum Specialist

Parents will be provided with grade specific brochures outlining and identifying the SSS and strategies they can use to help their child at home.

September through March

Notices in newsletters; principals will document date distributed

2

Assessments discussed during individual conferences

Classroom Teachers

Teachers will conduct individual conferences to discuss each child's assessment results, expectations, and goals for the school year.

Through the year

Conference Logs

3

Report Card/Reading Night Activities; face-to-face-meetings

Assistant principal/Curriculum Specialist

Content specific sessions will be provided for parents. Information will include grade level proficiency, strategies parents can use at home, and assessment methods.

September through May

Sign-in Sheets, handouts, agendas, and materials

4

Individual Conferences regarding Technology and access to the Parent Portal

CIS

CIS will provide individual help to parents in how to log-in and access the Parent Portal.

Initiate in September at the annual meeting

Sign-n sheets, handouts, agendas and presentation materials

Staff Training



Describe the professional development activities the school will provide to educate the teachers, pupil services personnel, principals, and other staff in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between parents and schools [Section 1118(e)(3)].

count

Content and Type of Activity

Person Responsible

Anticipated Impact on Student Achievement

Timeline

Evidence of Effectiveness

1

Value of parental involvement: A monthly newsletter will be distributed to teachers that includes information on the value of parental involvement; Distribution of Materials

Assistant Principal and CIS

Improve the ability of staff to work effectively with parents by providing examples of best practices for parent involvement.

Monthly throughout the year

Sign-in sheets, calendars, handouts, agendas and presentation materials

2

Communicating and working with parents; Train the Trainer

CIS and School Leaders who will train the school s

CIS will be provided with a training module to take back to schools in an effort to improve the ability of staff to work effectively with parents.

September throughout the year

Sign-in sheets, handouts, agendas, and presentation materials

3

Implementation and coordination of parental involvement program; Train the Trainer

CIS anmd School Leaders who will train the staff.

Improve the ability to work with parents.

September

Sign-in sheets, handouts, agendas, and presentation materials

4

Building ties between home and school; Train the Ttrainer

CIS anmd School Leaders who will train the staff.

Improve the ability to work with parents.

Throughout the year

Sign-in sheets, handouts, agendas, and presentation materials

5

Cutural sensitivity; Train the Trainer

CIS and School Leaders who will train the staff.

Provide information to staff on the various cultures represented in the school to increase awareness of the various cultures of the students enrolled.

Throughout the year

Sign-in sheets, handouts, agendas, and presentation materials

Other Activities



Describe the other activities, such as parent resource centers, the school will conduct to encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children [Section 1118 (e)(4)].

Response: Expand and enhance the parent information centers;

Expand the resources available for parents; and

Expand the hours of operation to include weekends and evenings.

Create a family-friendly school with the assistance of the PIRC.

Communication



Describe how the school will provide parents of participating children the following [Section 1118(c)(4)]:

  • Timely information about the Title I programs [Section 1118(c)(4)(A)];
  • Description and explanation of the curriculum at the school, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet [Section 1118(c)(4)(B)];
  • If requested by parents, opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children[Section 1118(c)(4)(C)]; and
  • If the schoolwide program plan under Section 1114 (b)(2) is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, the school will include submit the parents’ comments with the plan that will be made available to the local education agency [Section 1118(c)(5)].

Response: At the annual meeting of parents in September, Florida International Academy Charter School will hold a general meeting where information will be presented about the Title I programs, the curriculum, and academic assessments. Parents will learn about the school wide program, how to schedule parent-teacher conferences, and opportunities for participation in decisions related to the education of their child. Parents will be given a copy of the parent handbook, which includes more detailed information on these topics and a copy of the Parent Involvement Plan (PIP). Upon conclusion of the general meeting, parents will be invited to visit their child's classrooms and meet staff. During the classroom visits, teachers will provide additional information on the subjects they teach, assessment plans, and how parents can help at home. The same information will be provided in an informational packet distributed the following day for all parents unable to attend. Teachers will maintain sign-in sheets and provide a copy to the assistant principal who will also maintain documentation on the dissemination of information, distribution methods, and timelines.

Accessibility



Describe how the school will provide full opportunities for participation in parental involvement activities for all parents (including parents with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and migratory children). Include how the school plans to share information related to school and parent programs, meetings, school reports, and other activities in an understandable and uniform format and to the extent practical, in a language parents can understand [Section 1118(e)(5) and 1118(f)].

Response: Part of our commitment at Florida International Academy Charter School, includes providing full opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children through ensuring that all school correspondence and communication are in both English and Spanish, as well as by providing translation services as needed and assistance upon request for those parents with disabilities. In addition, the school will host parent meetings on an array of subject areas through the Bilingual Parent Outreach Program and the PIRC. The school will disseminate information through various sources such as parent letters, flyers, Connect Ed messages, posting on the school's Webpage, progress report and report cards, informational letters that go along with instructional software and how to implement it at home, STAR and FAIR reports, Reading Plus reports, Florida Standards Assessment results and data interpretations provided by the State's Department of Education, and last but not least, parents and teachers meet to speak to discuss their child's academic progress so that the student's strengths and weaknesses can be addressed. The same information will be provided the following day for all parents unable to attend. Teachers will conference with students who have Progress Monitoring Plans and contact parents regarding strategies either in person or over the phone. Parents will be encouraged to discuss their child's performance with the teacher any time during the school year. Resources and additional information will be found at the school's Parent Resource Center.

Discretionary Activities



Discretionary School Level Parental Involvement Policy Components Check if the school does not plan to implement discretionary parental involvement activities. Check all activities the school plans to implement:

X Not Applicable

 

Upload Evidence of Input from Parents



Upload evidence of parent input in the development of the plan.

Upload Parent-School Compact



Note: As a component of the school-level parental involvement policy/plan, each school shall jointly develop, with parents for all children served under this part, a parent-school compact that outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement Section 1118(d)].

Upload an electronic version of the Parent-School Compact.

Upload Evidence of Parent Involvement in Development of Parent-School Compact



Note: As a component of the school-level parental involvement policy/plan, each school shall jointly develop, with parents for all children served under this part, a parent-school compact that outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement Section 1118(d)].

Upload evidence of parent input in the development of the compact.

Evaluation of the previous year's Parental Involvement Plan

Building Capacity Summary



Provide a summary of activities provided during the previous school year that were designed to build the capacity of parents to help their children [Section 1118 (e)(1-2)]. Include participation data on the Title I annual meeting.

count

Content and Type of Activity

Number of Activities

Number of Participants

Anticipated Impact on Student Achievement

1

Parents will be provided with grade specific brochures outlining and identifying the SSS and strateg

2

25

Positive Behavior and better student achievement

2

Assessments discussed during individual conferences

25

25

Positive Behavior and better student achievement

Staff Training Summary



Provide a summary of the professional development activities provided by the school during the previous school year to educate staff on the value and utility of contributions of parents; how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners; the implementation and coordination of parent programs; and how to build ties between parents and the school [Section 1118 (e)(3)].

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Content and Type of Activity

Number of Activities

Number of Participants

Anticipated Impact on Student Achievement

1

Value of parental involvement: A monthly newsletter will be distributed to teachers that includes in

3

12

Positive Behavior and better student achievement

2

Communicating and working with parents; Train the Trainer

2

10

Positive Behavior and better student achievement

3

Implementation and coordination of parental involvement program; Train the Trainer

1

5

Positive Behavior and better student achievement

4

Building ties between home and school; Train the Ttrainer

3

20

Positive Behavior and better student achievement

5

Cutural sensitivity; Train the Trainer

0

0

None

Barriers



Describe the barriers that hindered participation by parents during the previous school year in parental involvement activities. Include the steps the school will take during the current school year to overcome the barriers (with particular attention to parents who are economically disadvantaged, are disabled, have limited English proficiency, have limited literacy, or are of any racial or ethnic minority background) [Section 1118(a)(E)].

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Barrier (Including the Specific Subgroup)

Steps the School will Take to Overcome

1

Parents with small children may not have baby sitting at home. They may want to attend but are unable to do so.

School will offer a flexible number of meetings, such as meetings in the morning and evening.

Best Practices (Optional)



Describe the parental involvement activity/strategy the school implemented during the previous schoool year that the school considers the most effective. This information may be shared with other LEAs and schools as a best practice. (Optional)

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Content/Purpose

Description of the Activity