Purpose

Parent and family engagement (PFE) in education has evolved to mean much more than the annual parent-teacher conference. Research shows that positive parent involvement with schooling leads to greater proficiency, better school attendance, higher achievement test scores, and higher graduation rates.

Parent and family engagement is the inclusion of parents, families, schools, and communities in order to support learning and improve schools. It requires systemic change to include all adults who raise and care for children in the planning, development, and evaluation of programs designed to support learning and improve academic success.

Translations

WSD and each school must provide written translations of information to families of limited English proficiency. Where this is not practicable, WSD and the schools must provide the information to parents orally in a language they understand and document what and when the information was shared. All oral communications shall be documented with the date of communication and the text of what was communicated. These documents shall be kept on file at WSD Central Office.

Sharing of information

WSD and each school have the responsibility of ensuring that any information provided to parents and family members of participating children is in an understandable format. This includes providing alternative formats and appropriate aids and services as necessary or upon request in order to ensure that parents with a disability have an equal opportunity to participate in effective communication around Title I programs and activities.

Each School will share with Title I parents information related to:

1. The challenging State academic standards

2. State and local academic assessments

3. Title I, Part A requirements

4. How to monitor their child’s progress

5. How to work with educators to improve their children’s achievement

Notification of Teacher and IA Qualifications

Parents in Vermont may access information about their teacher’s qualifications by visiting an online portal. If you do not have computer access, please contact [insert name of contact] to request your student’s teacher(s) professional qualifications.

To access the online system to check teacher qualifications, follow these steps.

• Step 1 Go to the Online Licensing System

• Step 2 Click on “To Search For an Educator”

• Step 3 Type in the educator’s Last Name and First Name, then hit “Search”

Parental Notification Regarding Paraeducators Qualifications

If you would like information regarding the qualifications of para-educators who work with your child, please contact Sarah Haven at 383-6140.

For questions regarding Parental Notification and other ESSA requirements, please refer to Transitioning to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Frequently Asked Questions.