Our Programs
Family-Friendly School Walk Through
Provides a comprehensive audit of a school’s effectiveness when engaging families. Provides specific feedback and recommendations to enable a school to improve two-way communication with families; provide opportunities for parents to participate in school programs; create a welcoming environment and make parents feel as if they are a part of the school community; and create policies to support effective family engagement. Schools receive a written report on each indicator and a rating of quality from Low to Emerging to High.
The Indiana Academy for Parent and School Leadership
Develops leaders who will take the helm as families, schools and communities forge partnerships to help children succeed. Connects school-improvement efforts to parents’ leadership. Identifies how teams of parents and school staff members can create a sustainable initiative to increase meaningful parent engagement. The academy is a multi-session, professional development series with additional on-site support. Topics include the school-improvement process, family engagement, effective community, team building, education legislation and cultural competency.
Two customized series are offered:
Elementary school focus: Engaging parents to develop their children’s literacy skill, using research-based practices and strategies such as linking activities to their individual school’s achievement data.
Middle and high school focus: Engaging parents to improve their children’s postsecondary opportunities. The Annenberg Institute for School Reform’s “Beating the Odds” study and the institute’s College Pathways tools are resources.
Individual school/district consultation
Provides one-on-one attention from The Indiana Partnerships Center’s expert program staff members, who will assess your school or district’s policies and practices regarding family, school and community partnerships. We will work with you to design an action plan to forge strong partnerships that improve student achievement.
Parent liaison/parent coordinator program
Trains parent liaisons and parent coordinators in best practices for family engagement in education. This multi-session, professional development series identifies participants’ strengths and matches them to job responsibilities, such as home visits, parent workshops and home-school communication. May include certification through a local university.
Voices in Action
Develops parent leaders to serve Spanish-speaking Latino families. This series includes three to five three-hour sessions, depending on the schools and parents’ needs. Topics include supporting literacy; asking the right questions to get the best education for your child; understanding the education system; being a leader; and connecting with the community. Program can include other immigrant or English-as-a-new-language families.
Family workshops and “Train the Trainer” programs
Let us help your school or district create effective parent-engagement strategies. Our Train the Trainer programs equip school staff members and parents leaders to provide the following workshops.
Books on Board
Teaches parents hands-on activities and games that they can use at home to improve their child’s literacy. Provides a home kit to workshop participants. Teaches phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency and comprehension strategies. Available in Spanish under the title “¡Leamos Juntos!” (“Let’s Read Together!”).
Creating a Parent Center
Teaches schools and parent leaders how to create a parent center or family resource room, which is the hub of family involvement at schools. Parents may get training and information related to student achievement at their parent center, which is essential to making them feel welcome at school.
The Right Question Project
Enables parents to develop and enhance their questioning skills by drawing on their own life experiences. Teaches parents to identify important issues and develop action plans. Parents will learn how to support and monitor their child’s education and advocate for his or her educational needs.
Dads’ Workshop
Helps fathers become more involved in their child’s education, to the benefit of the child and the school. Shows schools and parent organizations how to create an environment that is more effective in reaching fathers.
Creating Welcoming Schools for All Families
Assists schools in reaching out to families who have immigrated to the United States.
Family Math
Teaches math skills to children and parents together. Seeks to increase the study of math by students in kindergarten through eighth grade, particularly girls and minority students.
Family Science
Teaches science skills to children and parents together. Seeks to increase the study of science by students in kindergarten through eighth grade, particularly girls and minority students.
Overcoming Barriers to Parental Involvement
Presents to solutions to common problems that hinder parents from becoming involved in their child’s school. Empowers parents and school staff members to build strong and lasting partnerships. Facilitators help parents understand federal and state laws that affect Indiana students and quip them to be an integral part of the school system. Facilitators also teach school staff members how to communicate with parents.
Early Childhood Transition Workshop
Shares ideas, activities and information with parents of preschoolers so their child can make a successful transition to kindergarten. Families will learn how to help their child in summer and be exposed to resources and supplies to promote school readiness.
Orientation for New Parents
Informs parents of preschool children about the school system. Gives them tools so they feel empowered to be involved in their child’s education. Topics include common school procedures and expectations.