Research continues to confirm that parents are a vital part of the educational process and of the educational experience of their children. When school personnel work with families to develop meaningful relationships that support learning, children will succeed not just in school but also throughout life. The inclusion of parents in the education of their children can and should be a positive partnership for both parents and educators.

Our Mission

• To use family, school and community partnerships to strengthen schools, and improve student achievement.
• To increase opportunities for families to be more involved in their children's learning at school, at home, and in the community.
• To support and give input to the School District's Strategic Plan.

Goal 1
The District will provide an open and inviting environment for parents and families to be involved in their children's learning at school, at home, and in the community.

Objective 1
100% of parents will feel welcome at their children's school.

Strategies:

1. Collaborate with the Department of Assessment and Accountability to ensure that the Parent Satisfaction segment of the School District Climate Survey, sent to families each February, considers the needs addressed by the Parent/Family Involvement Consortium.
2. Review the District Climate Survey results annually recording improvements, targeting areas of need, including diversity and inclusivity to determine future activities of the Consortium.
3. Coordinate with parents and District staff to support the implementation of the Whole School Effectiveness Model.
4. Coordinate services for parents including the Parent Resource Bus, Citizens Call Center, Parent Education Center, Student Intervention Specialists, Social Workers, Choice Parent Resource Centers, Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Parent Liaisons, and other outreach services.
5. Develop an annual "Family Friendly Recognition" award to be given to schools that regularly involve parents and show high parent satisfaction.

Objective 2
100% of Hillsborough County schools will provide a variety of opportunities for parents, families, and communities to be involved in school programs.

Strategies:

1. Update the District web page to include timely information for parents and easier access to parent involvement program information, parenting tips, and other resource information to help them stay involved in their children's education.
2. Encourage the schools to use the SERVE Speaker's Bureau.
3. Support the Parent & Family Awards - an evening to celebrate successes.
4. Provide support to all School Advisory Council activities with DOE, PTA/PTSA, Office of School Improvement, Yale Bush Center, 21st Century Schools, and the National Network at John Hopkins University.
5. Encourage parent and community participation through the web site by offering training opportunities, brochures, and any other means developed through the consortium.
6. Make annual presentations at orientations for teachers and administrators.
7. Develop additional activities specifically geared toward the interest of fatherhood.

Goal 2
The District will improve public confidence in the School District of Hillsborough County by:

• Strengthening the commitment among parents, educators, and community to accept responsibility for student learning.
• Supporting the relationship between teacher and student.
• Bolstering respect among all segments of the community.

Objective 1
100% of parents will be provided with ongoing information regarding school programs, services, and resources including Whole School Effectiveness by July 2006.

Strategies:

1.  Research and examine Best Practices for reaching parents and increasing participation.
2. Distribute the parent guide that includes ongoing information regarding available services, programs, and resources with the School District of Hillsborough County.
3. Offer an annual event to inform parents and the community of school programs, activities, and services.
4. Distribute School District Controlled Choice information and materials.
5. Distribute information to bring greater understanding of the School District's Strategic Plan and school's Adequate Yearly Progress performance.

Goal 3
The District will receive and catalogue all projected parenting services and activities within the School District of Hillsborough County by the end of September each school year.

Objective 1
The Parent /Family Involvement Consortium will provide a clearinghouse for sharing parent involvement activities, programs and resources, lowering the incidence of duplication, and fragmentation of parent services.

Strategies:

1. Compile and distribute information regarding "Best Practices," parent involvement programs, and training or workshops for parents and educators to all schools.

Objective 2
Parent involvement program, service, and activity information will be provided throughout the District's web site for all divisions, schools, and community organizations to share.

Strategies:

1. Develop a calendar for the District web site of parent involvement activities and events to assist parents, district, and community in learning more about parent involvement activities at all levels.

Goal 4
The District will support student achievement through an increased focus on community involvement.

Objective 1
The District will provide 100% of the Hillsborough County schools with information regarding community, services, resources, and partnerships available to parents and schools.

Strategies:

1. Encourage family literacy.
2. Provide opportunities for School Advisory Councils to work together and with other school programs.
3. Disseminate community information about programs supporting parent involvement and family life to schools and families, i.e., Parents As Teachers, The Goals 2000 Family Involvement Partnership, The Partnership Parent Training series, Fathers Resource And Networking Center (FRANC), Home Improvement Program for Pre-School Youngsters (HIPPY), PTA-PTSA, Positive Parenting, Hillsborough's Promise, Florida Kinship Center, special needs and disabilities resources, support systems, etc.
4. Collaborate with community businesses and agencies that provide services and resources to schools, parents, and families.

Outcome

As a result of implementation of the above goals objectives and strategies, all stakeholders will be better informed and more involved in the education of our children.