S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3624
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 27, 2009
___________
Introduced by M. of A. CLARK -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a parent
awareness week in all school districts
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature hereby finds and
declares that a child's education is a responsibility shared by the
school and family during the entire time the child spends in school; and
to support the goal of the schools to educate all students effectively,
the schools and parents must work as informed partners; and that
although parents are diverse in culture, language, and needs, they are
an integral component of a school's ability to provide for the educa-
tional success of their children; and that engaging parents is essential
to improve student achievement; and that schools should foster and
support active parental involvement and awareness.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new article 100 to read
as follows:
ARTICLE 100
PARENT AWARENESS WEEK
SECTION 4950. PARENT AWARENESS WEEK; ESTABLISHED.
4951. STAFF DEVELOPMENT.
4952. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
4953. REVIEW OF PLAN.
4954. HIGHER EDUCATION.
S 4950. PARENT AWARENESS WEEK; ESTABLISHED. 1. DURING THE FIRST FIVE
DAYS OF EACH SCHOOL YEAR, EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND EACH SCHOOL WITHIN
ITS BOUNDARIES, IN COLLABORATION WITH PARENTS, SHALL ESTABLISH A PARENT
AWARENESS WEEK INCLUDING PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES THAT ENHANCE PARENTAL
INVOLVEMENT AND REFLECT THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMI-
LIES.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07165-01-9
A. 3624 2
2. THE PARENT AWARENESS WEEK IN EACH SCHOOL SHALL:
A. INVOLVE PARENTS OF STUDENTS AT ALL GRADE LEVELS IN A VARIETY OF
ROLES;
B. BE COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED IN NATURE;
C. (1) RECOGNIZE THAT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL SHOULD BE
REGULAR, TWO-WAY, AND MEANINGFUL.
(2) TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS THE SCHOOL SHALL PREPARE
AN INFORMATIONAL PACKET TO BE DISTRIBUTED ANNUALLY TO THE PARENT, APPRO-
PRIATE FOR THE AGE AND GRADE OF THE CHILD DESCRIBING:
(I) THE SCHOOL'S PARENT AWARENESS WEEK;
(II) THE RECOMMENDED ROLE OF THE PARENT, STUDENT, TEACHER, AND SCHOOL;
(III) WAYS FOR THE PARENTS TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE SCHOOL AND HIS OR
HER CHILD'S EDUCATION INCLUDING HOW AND WHERE THE PARENT COULD VOLUN-
TEER;
(IV) ACTIVITIES PLANNED THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR TO ENCOURAGE
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT;
(V) A SYSTEM TO ALLOW THE PARENTS TO COMMUNICATE IN A REGULAR,
TWO-WAY, AND MEANINGFUL MANNER WITH THE CHILD'S TEACHER AND THE SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL.
(3) TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS, THE SCHOOL SHALL SCHEDULE
NO LESS THAN TWO PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES PER SCHOOL YEAR.
(4) THE SCHOOL MAY PLAN AND ENGAGE IN OTHER ACTIVITIES DETERMINED BY
THE SCHOOL TO BE BENEFICIAL TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS;
D. PROMOTE AND SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE PARENTING.
E. (1) ACKNOWLEDGE THAT PARENTS PLAY AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN ASSISTING
STUDENT LEARNING.
(2) TO HELP PARENTS IN ASSISTING STUDENTS, THE SCHOOL SHALL:
(I) SCHEDULE REGULAR "PARENTS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE" EVENINGS WHERE
PARENTS ARE GIVEN A REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE SCHOOL AND AN OVERVIEW
OF:
(A) WHAT STUDENTS WILL BE LEARNING;
(B) HOW STUDENTS WILL BE ASSESSED;
(C) WHAT PARENTS SHOULD EXPECT FOR THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION; AND
(D) HOW PARENTS CAN ASSIST AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HIS OR HER CHILD'S
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT; AND
(II) ENGAGE IN OTHER ACTIVITIES DETERMINED BY THE SCHOOL TO HELP
PARENTS ASSIST IN HIS OR HER CHILD'S LEARNING;
F. WELCOME PARENTS IN THE SCHOOL AND SEEK PARENTAL SUPPORT AND ASSIST-
ANCE.
G. (1) RECOGNIZE THAT A PARENT IS A FULL PARTNER IN THE DECISIONS THAT
AFFECT HIS OR HER CHILD AND FAMILY.
(2) TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO PARTICIPATE AS FULL PARTNERS IN THE DECI-
SIONS THAT AFFECT HIS OR HER CHILD AND FAMILY, THE SCHOOL SHALL:
(I) INCLUDE IN THE SCHOOL'S POLICY HANDBOOK THE SCHOOL'S PROCESS FOR
RESOLVING PARENTAL CONCERNS, INCLUDING HOW TO DEFINE THE PROBLEM, WHOM
TO APPROACH FIRST, AND HOW TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS;
(II) SPONSOR SEMINARS TO INFORM THE PARENTS OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
ABOUT HOW TO BE INVOLVED IN THE DECISIONS AFFECTING COURSE SELECTION,
CAREER PLANNING, AND PREPARATION FOR POST-SECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES; AND
(III) ENGAGE IN OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT THE SCHOOL DETERMINES WILL
ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO PARTICIPATE AS FULL PARTNERS IN THE DECISIONS THAT
AFFECT HIS OR HER CHILD AND FAMILY;
H. (1) RECOGNIZE THAT COMMUNITY RESOURCES STRENGTHEN SCHOOL PROGRAMS,
FAMILY PRACTICES, AND STUDENT LEARNING;
(2) TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES THE SCHOOL SHALL:
A. 3624 3
(I) CONSIDER RECRUITING ALUMNI FROM THE SCHOOL TO CREATE AN ALUMNI
SUPPORT ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOL IMPROVE-
MENT;
(II) ENGAGE IN OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT THE SCHOOL DETERMINES WILL USE
COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN SCHOOL PROGRAMS, FAMILY PRACTICES, AND
STUDENT LEARNING; AND
I. SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, AND REGULAR EVALUATION OF
THE PROGRAM TO INVOLVE PARENTS IN THE DECISIONS AND PRACTICES OF THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT, USING TO THE DEGREE POSSIBLE, THE COMPONENTS LISTED IN
THIS SECTION.
J. (1) THE SUPERVISING PRINCIPAL OF EACH SCHOOL IN A DISTRICT SHALL
DESIGNATE ONE QUALIFIED STAFF MEMBER THAT IS WILLING TO SERVE AS A
PARENT FACILITATOR TO ORGANIZE MEANINGFUL TRAINING FOR STAFF AND PARENTS
PROMOTING AND ENCOURAGING A WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE TO PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
IN THE SCHOOL AND TO UNDERTAKE EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT PARENTAL PARTIC-
IPATION IS RECOGNIZED AS AN ASSET TO THE SCHOOL.
(2) THE QUALIFIED STAFF SERVING AS A PARENTAL FACILITATOR SHALL
RECEIVE SUPPLEMENTAL PAY FOR THE ASSIGNED DUTIES AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
S 4951. STAFF DEVELOPMENT. ADMINISTRATORS OR QUALIFIED STAFF IN
CHARGE OF IMPLEMENTING PARENT AWARENESS WEEK MUST HAVE SPECIAL EXPERI-
ENCE OR THREE HOURS MANDATORY TRAINING ON HOW TO RELATE TO PARENTS, SUCH
SPECIAL EXPERIENCE OR MANDATORY TRAINING TO BE CERTIFIED AND PROMULGATED
BY THE COMMISSIONER.
S 4952. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 1. LIAISONS OF TEACHERS AND PARENTS
SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DISSEMINATING INFORMATION TO PARENTS REGARDING
EVENTS TAKING PLACE DURING PARENT AWARENESS WEEK. LIAISONS SHALL BE
FORMED BY EACH RESPECTIVE GROUP WITHIN EACH SCHOOL INVOLVED.
2. COMMUNICATIONS TO PARENTS REGARDING EVENTS OF THE WEEK SHALL BE BY
PHONE, E-MAIL, NEWSLETTERS AND INFORMATION CARRIED HOME BY STUDENTS AS
BEST DETERMINED BY EACH SCHOOL.
3. SCHOOLS ARE INSTRUCTED TO COMMUNICATE WITH PARENTS IN A MANNER THAT
FACILITATES UNDERSTANDING FOR PARENTS WITH A LANGUAGE BARRIER IF SUCH
EXISTS.
4. PARENTS SHALL BE MADE AWARE OF SPECIFIC EVENTS INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO ADMINISTERING AND GRADING OF TESTS AND PARENT ORIENTATION
ACTIVITIES AND THE AVAILABILITY OF METHODS AND TOOLS OR MEANS OF COMMU-
NICATING WITH THE SCHOOL AND THEIR CHILDREN.
S 4953. REVIEW OF PLAN. 1. EACH YEAR, EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL
REVIEW AND UPDATE THE DISTRICT'S PARENT AWARENESS WEEK PLAN AND FILE A
COPY OF THE DISTRICT'S PARENT AWARENESS WEEK PLAN WITH THE COMMISSIONER.
2. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL REVIEW EACH PLAN AND DETERMINE IF THE PLAN
IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE. IF THE COMMIS-
SIONER DETERMINES THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS
ARTICLE, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL SEND THE DISTRICT WRITTEN NOTIFICATION
INDICATING ANY DEFICIENCIES IN THE DISTRICT'S PLAN NO LATER THAN JANUARY
FIRST OF EACH YEAR AND ALLOW THE DISTRICT AN OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT ANY
DEFICIENCY.
S 4954. HIGHER EDUCATION. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLLABORATE WITH INSTI-
TUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO INCORPORATE INTO TEACHER EDUCATION
PROGRAMS INFORMATION REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
AND HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO BE PARTNERS IN THEIR
CHILD'S EDUCATION. THE SCHOOLS SHALL MAINTAIN A RECORD OF THE PARENT'S
ATTENDANCE, THE MEDIUM OF COMMUNICATION AND HOW THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF
SAID WEEK WERE CARRIED OUT.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.