The document discusses Parent Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs) funded by the U.S. Department of Education to develop parental involvement policies required by the ESEA. In New York, there are two PIRCs: EPIC, which serves multiple urban areas, and FACTS, which covers northern New York. The PIRCs aim to engage families in closing the achievement gap and are supported by action teams that conduct research to recommend strategies for enhancing family engagement in education.

1. Presentation to NYSPEP September 2009

2. What is a PIRC? Parent Information and Resource Centers are funded by the U.S. Department of Education. They are authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (aka No Child Left Behind). The ESEA requires school districts to develop a Parental Involvement Policy , which must explain: specific ways that schools will involve parents and parents’ rights and responsibilities for children's education. There are 62 PIRCs nationwide, funded from 2006 – 2011.

3. PIRCs in New York State There are two PIRCs in the state. EPIC (Every Person Influences Children) operates PIRC centers in Bronx, Queens, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse, Fallsburg, and Monticello. Families and Communities Together with Schools (FACTS) serves Northern New York, in partnership with Jefferson-Lewis BOCES. FACTS is based in Watertown.

4. The purpose of the PIRC program is to: engage families and communities in closing the achievement gap.

5. The PIRCs: help implement successful and effective parental involvement policies, programs, and activities that lead to improvements in student academic achievement and strengthen partnerships among parents, teachers, principals, administrators, and other school personnel in meeting the educational needs of children.

6. On The Same Page Summit The state PIRCs are guided by an Advisory Board. They are responsible for conducting annual summits and for overseeing the work of 8 Action Teams. These Action Teams are charged with drafting recommendations to the Board of Regents re: implementing strategies for family engagement.

7. PIRC Action Teams The Action Teams are: Quality Indicators Family Engagement Assessment Higher Education Professional Staff Development Engaging Diverse Families/Cultural Competence Community Engagement Promoting Partnerships with Families of Children with Disabilities Business Community

8. Action Team Work Each Action Team will conduct research to support their recommendations. This research may include: scan of unmet needs analysis of cost-benefits identification of best practices in NYS and around the country Action Teams will meet throughout 2009-10 to solidify their draft recommendations.

9. PIRC Website Please visit www.samepagesummit.org

10. Contact Information Jenn O’Connor Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy 518/463-1896, ext. 31 [email_address] Shelley Richards EPIC 716/332-4140 [email_address] Carol West FACTS 315/788-8450 [email_address]