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Image of students and teacher, top half The KEYS 2.0 Online Action Guide
Image of students and teacher, bottom half Welcome | Introduction | About the KEYS Action Guide
KEY 1 | KEY 2 | KEY 3 | KEY 4 | KEY 5 | KEY 6 | NEXT STEPS | APPENDIX
key 2 INTRODUCTION | TOOLS | RESOURCES | SUCCESS STORIES
Indicators 1 |  2 |  3 |  4 |  5 |  6 |  7 |  8 |  9
KEY 2 - INDICATOR 2
Parents are involved in improving education.

This indicator examines the level of parental support for the school in a variety of ways—from parent participation in special events to fundraising, volunteerism, schoolbased decision counsels, task forces, and training teams. It also encourages a school team to look at the level of parent involvement in the learning environment.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
  1. How often do parents visit the school? Why do they come?

  2. What actions do members of the staff take to make parents feel valued at your school?

  3. What will it take to create a shared sense of responsibility and a collective commitment to quality education among all stakeholders in the school?

ACTIVITIES
  • As a school staff, talk about how often parents visit the school. Consider why they come —to work on a specific project, for example, when their children are having problems, or just to see a program. Discuss whether there is a nucleus or a variety of parents involved in school activities. Reflect on parental involvement at specific grade levels (perhaps there is more parental involvement in the lower grades). What can the staff do to create opportunities for parents to be more actively and meaningfully involved in the school?

  • Plan a time for parents to take the NEA Survey on Parent Involvement In Schools available from NEA Research. Set up a committee that includes parents to consider ways to remove barriers to parents’ active involvement.
 

Welcome | Introduction | About the KEYS Action Guide
KEY 1 | KEY 2 | KEY 3 | KEY 4 | KEY 5 | KEY 6 | NEXT STEPS | APPENDIX

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