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What Works: Back to school: How parent involvement affects student achievement (At a glance)
The Center for Public Education Posted August 30, 2011
It may be one of the least controversial statements in American education: Parent involvement can make a difference in a child's education. The conflict can come, though, on how to define that involvement. Do all the PTA meetings, take-home flyers and Back to School nights actually generate increases in student achievement? The Center for Public Education examined the research and found that creating a partnership between parents and schools focused on academics truly does have significant impact on student achievement.
http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Public-education/Parent-Involvement
A different kind of parent involvement — in school policy
Washington Post Answer Sheet Blog By Valerie Strauss
This was written by Idette B. Groff, a member of the Conestoga Valley school board for 12 years and a member of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Conestoga Valley School District serves more than 4,000 students in Lancaster County, PA.
By Idette B. Groff
The relationship most parents have with their child's school is through teachers or principals to deal with an issue affecting their child. Most parents never have an issue that needs to be taken farther up the chain of command. But have you ever been in a situation where you wished you had a voice in policy decisions made at the district level? Or even been in a position to help contribute to the agenda of the policymakers?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/a-different-kind-of-parent-involvement--in-school-policy/2011/08/30/gIQAN0gjqJ_blog.html
PO EDITORIAL: A very early look at Pa.'s budget for 2012-13
Public Opinion Online
We have to say we appreciate Gov. Tom Corbett's early willingness to float the assumptions and priorities that will drive Pennsylvania's next budget season.
Corbett this week sent new budget policy guidelines to administration departments. They emerged as a template for broad policy goals about six months before he will submit a 2012-13 budget to the Legislature.
http://www.publicopiniononline.com/ci_18744455?source=most_emailed
NESHAMINY SCHOOLS
Impasse continues as school resumes
Bucks County Courier Times Posted: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 6:00 am
By Christian Menno Staff writer
In 2008, Neshaminy students arrived for the first day of school as their teachers were entering into a contract dispute with the school board.
Three years later, the impasse continues and its shadow looms over schools throughout the district, which opened their doors Tuesday for the start of the new year.
PA School Board Advocate: Grant story not so simple
WHYY Newsworks August 26, 2011 By Mary Wilson
WHYY Newsworks August 26, 2011 By Mary Wilson
Secretary Ron Tomalis says he was disappointed only 26 of the 141 lowest performing schools got federal grant money for which they were eligible.
But Tom Gentzel, executive director of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, says the application process takes time and staff--things in short supply at many schools, especially among the smaller, rural districts.