A program involving parents, students, and educators to help students reach their fullest potential.

1. Presentation
Innovation
Project
Presented by
Donna Harla, EdD
2/14/2014
Parent Collaboration: Bridging the Gap
between Home & School
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2. Parent Collaboration
Bridging the Gap
Between
Home
2/14/2014
&
School
Parent Collaboration:Bridging the Gap
between Home & School
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3. Administrators- support with approvals
 Teachers- commit time and place each week
 Parents- commit time to visit
 Students- bring work and engage
 Staff-welcome families and support teachers
We are the inward intricate working part of
education. We are the front line of defense, and
therefore, the most effective in making
educational changes work and last. We make it
happen.
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Parent Collaboration:Bridging the Gap
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4. Mission Statement
Bridging the gap between home and school by
building relationships to help students succeed.
Vision Statement
To see all children reach their fullest potential and
dreams.
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Parent Collaboration:Bridging the Gap
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5. “Two things help one move out of poverty, education
and relationships “ (Payne, 2005. p.19).
Without relationships it is nearly impossible to
achieve any dream or potential, known or
unknown.
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6. 
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To welcome parents and students in schools.
To help students succeed.
To meet weekly.
To build relationships.
To inform families.
To support teachers and educational processes.
To provide safety nets for students.
To improve students’ education experiences.
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7. 
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What: Parent Collaboration- a practiced
method on how to involve parents in schools
Why: To improve student success
How: Since 2008, building relationships
between homes and schools
Success Rate: 98% of families attend see student
increases from failing to passing
Most Students: Achieve 80% or higher
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8. Lindsey (2002) stated, “parent-child communication
and parental interest in school work….. is a positive
impact on attitudes about school and is connected to
student success and retention” (Plourde & Hawes,
2005).
Research has revealed that parental support is a
must (Garrett, 2008).
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9. Over 10,000 families and educators engaged since
inception.
Only part of one school has been fully committed.
Wonder what would happen if more were
committed to Parent Collaboration?
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10. 
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A way for other schools to learn, train, and try
Parent Collaboration (spread the word).
Principals to support welcoming parents each
week at a set time and day.
Teachers to commit to meeting once-a-week.
Time commitment from school district, city,
and businesses to allow parents and teachers to
meet.
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Parent Collaboration:Bridging the Gap
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11. 
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I have practiced Parent Collaboration (PC)
since 2007, my teaching team began 2008. We
have been practicing PC ever since with
consistency and experiencing positive results.
Others are encouraged to practice PC to gain
the experience and share student success.
The goal is to share the wealth in education.
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12. 
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Traditional parent conferences are done on a
one on one time basis.
Typically, a parent will call for an appointment.
Each school may vary on how the appointment
is arranged and set.
The parent may come with the child, or not,
possibly leaving out one of the important key
stakeholders.
The parent typically, does not return to school
for the reminder of the year. If so, it is only to
repeat what was said the first time.
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13. 
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The traditional parent/teacher conferences
tend to repeat themselves from one to another
going over the basic routines of each teachers
class.
The traditional parent/teacher conferences
rarely go beyond the surface of any given issue.
Often, time is wasted waiting for a no-show.
There is rarely any change, or follow-up.
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14. 
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Builds relationships
Welcomes families
Bypasses the hassle of making appointments
Gives students the opportunity to take
responsibility, as well as parents
Gives teachers time to know their students’
families and background information in a casual
and comfortable environment.
Gives parents the opportunity to see their child’s
classroom environment on a weekly basis.
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15. 
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The Parent Collaboration (PC) program builds
relationships, so that concerns are discussed,
and interventions are put in place.
PC meetings help key stakeholders (child
included) to give suggestions, feedback, and
encouragement towards improvement.
Strategies are shared, discussed, and
demonstrated.
PC gives time to reteach, explain, and educate.
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Parent Collaboration:Bridging the Gap
between Home & School
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16. Parent Collaboration
Bridging the Gap
Between
Home
2/14/2014
&
School
Parent Collaboration:Bridging the Gap
between Home & School
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17. 
Garrett,J.L.(2008). Making Connections with
parents. Kappa Delta Pi Record,44, 55.
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Payne, R. K. (2005). A framework for
understanding poverty. Highland, TX: aha!
Process.
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Plourde, L.A. & Hawes, C.A. (2005). Parental
involvement and its influence on the reading
achievement of 6th grade students. Reading
Improvement,42, 47.
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18. 
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Donna Harla
904-705-7175
parentcollaboration.org@gmail.com
Parentcollaboration.org
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