MASSACHUSETTS
PARENT INVOLVEMENT PROJECT
Events - Services - Products
help parents and others
Engage - Advocate - Lead
HOME-SCHOOL-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
INTRODUCTION Of THE PROJECTINTRODUCTION Of THE PROJECT
The Massachusetts Parent* Involvement Project's mission is to
increase involvement of families and communities
in their children's science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) education by
creating partnerships and engaging parents
in communities where students are
underachieving in these content areas.
(PIP can expand to other content areas)
* The word “parent” refers to all caregivers in children’s lives..
Major Themes Parent involvement will help students achieve
• Involvement includes what parents can do at home
• Barriers to learning require unique strategies
• Local organizing efforts & partnerships are needed
• Community settings have potential instructional value
• Resources in the community are connected to families
• Leadership and advocacy skills are developed
• Activities & information engage parents with children
• Attend school events
• Bolster self esteem, help to motivate
• Provide daily experiences for learning
• Help with & monitor school assignments
• Establish home structures that support learning
• Create effective communication within the home
• Connect one’s child to resources in the community
• Encourage learning as something valued in the family
• Establish communication and relationships with the school
Parents Involved in EducationIncluded with
the regular
tasks of
parenting
Provide information on how learning happens at home
CHORES
SHOPPING
GARDENING
HOMEREPAIRS
PREPARINGFOOD
PLAYINGGAMES
Parents can include as part of daily life
(activities, decision making
experiences, discussions,
and responsibilities)
opportunities that use
all content areas in
one’s home
What MassPIP coalitions do
• Reach out to parents from under-represented groups whose children are not experiencing academic success.
• Help develop parents’ understanding of, commitment to, and involvement in their children’s education.
• Find resources in the community & develop partnerships.
• Provide services, events and hands-on activities, giving parents opportunities to learn how they can help their children at home, advocate for school reform, and lead other parents.
SERVICES - PRODUCTS - EVENTSSERVICES - PRODUCTS - EVENTS
Activities held in the community
EXAMPLES OF SERVICESEXAMPLES OF SERVICES
Parent leadership workshops
Speaker series with residents as presenters
Information resource centers open after hours
Focus and study groups for parents on curricula
Web sites providing a wide range of information
Parents trained on using the Internet
Homework clubs for parents
Science fair preparation workshop for parents
Evening tutoring classes for parents with dinner and childcare
Cable TV Shows providing information for families
Nature Detectives: A Parent/Child Environmental Club
EXAMPLES OF EXAMPLES OF PRODUCTSPRODUCTS
Calendars sent home with suggestions for home activities
Parent handbook translated into different languages
Articles in school and business newsletters, and local newspapers
Study guide to include lists of related books, Internet sites, etc.
Table place mats at restaurants with MCAS questions
Books distributed at food pantries
Learning games for home use
Kits produced for use at clinics and other waiting rooms
Take Home Tote Bags each with a different theme
Tips on bags, cards, etc
EXAMPLES OF EVENTSEXAMPLES OF EVENTS
Family science night at McDonalds
“Garden construction party”
Career nights for families
Hot air balloon used with flight activities
Multicultural Fair with a focus on Math, Science and Technology
Weekend woods cataloguing and clean-up project
Out-of-school-time field trips to local companies
Barnes and Nobles hosting reading events for families
Family learning sessions at community sites
Supermarket events with learning stations set up throughout stores
Work with “Bring Your Daughters/Sons to Work Day”
Visits to a shellfish nursery, Audubon centers, beaches, forests
What else could be done?
• Conduct workshops at workplaces for parents and other employees
• Create and support new coalitions
• Develop a statewide parent leadership system providing courses (with college credit)
• Create a statewide plan with legislators and business leaders
• Work with the higher education community to create courses for teachers on parent and community involvement
What else could be done?
• Disseminate ideas for families using shopping bags, bills, receipts, marketing material and other means through local businesses
• Conduct media campaigns on how people can support their schools, parent involvement and children’s learning
• Hold focus groups in the community on investing in education
• Develop after school programming connected to the curriculum and incorporating family and community involvement
• Create a phone service for businesses, organizations, schools and parents on how to create partnerships that support education
Families
Legislators
Businesses
Districts/Schools
Higher Education
Product Developers
Media in various forms
Neighborhood Groups
Community Organizations
State Departments and Associations
Goal: create a statewide organization of partnerships
to support and enhance education
Museums
Community Organizations
Libraries
Businesses
Support Staff
Religious Groups
Students
Individuals in the community
Family Centers
Adult Basic Ed
SchoolsHome
Communities
Higher Education
School Personnel
Politicians
School Groups
Health Clinics
Families
Media
Partners supporting education
Professional Associations
Joel Nitzberg
Education is a joint effort by parents, students, schools and communities.
Collaboration results in
Student Achievement
Family Health
School Success
Community Development