Statement of Purpose
Dumas ISD is committed to the goal of providing quality education for every child in this district. To this end, we want to establish partnerships with parents and the community. Everyone gains if school and home work together to promote high achievement for our children. Neither home nor school can do the job alone. Parents play an extremely important role as the children’s’ first teachers. Their support for their children and the school is critical to their children’s’ success at every step along the way.
Goals for the children of Dumas ISD will be available to all parents in the district, with the expectation that all students will work toward these goals. We recognize that some students may need the extra assistance available through the Title I program, as well as other programs to reach these goals. Dumas ISD intends to include parents in all aspects of the districts Title I program. The goal is a school-home partnership that will encourage all students in the district to succeed.
Parent Involvement in Developing the Policy
Since Title I is a schoolwide project at every campus in the district, save one, the Dumas ISD District Council will act as the advisory committee for developing our school district’s parental involvement policy. This committee is made up of parents, community members, business representatives, and school personnel.
Annual Meetings for Title I Parents
At the fall and spring annual meetings for parents, which will be held at each Title I campus in the district, parents will be given information about Title I. They will be given copies of the district’s current parental involvement policy and will be offered a chance to become involved in revising and updating the policy as needed. Parents may volunteer on either the District Council or the Campus Council (or both).
The meetings will be held twice for the convenience of parents – in the evening and again the following morning. Translation will be available. Written notices, telephone calls and/or media attention will be directed at attracting as many parents as possible.
School-Parent Compacts
In accordance with Title I regulations, each Title I campus must develop a school-parent compact with the parents of students participating in the program. This compact will enable the school and parents to share the responsibility for student performance and success.
The compact must explain that students, parents and staff will share responsibility for promoting student achievement. The Campus Council will be consulted in the design and implementation of the compact.
All parents of students participating in the Title I program will be given a copy of the compact detailing the responsibilities that teachers, parents and students have in helping students accomplish their goals. Students’ responsibilities will vary by grade level.
Parent/student signatures will not be required; however, parents are encouraged to discuss the contents of the compact with their children.
Matching Parent Involvement Programs to the Needs of Our Community
The community will be consulted in the design, development and implementation of the Title I program. Parent and student needs will be assessed through surveys and other measures targeted at creating a successful school environment.
The district will welcome and promote parental suggestions.
Staff/Parent Communications
Parents will be welcomed through various avenues of communication throughout the school year. Newsletters, conferences, personal contacts, phone calls and/or written notices will be utilized to establish and maintain an open line of communication. Parents are encouraged to take the initiative in calling their child(ren)’s teacher when they are concerned about a problem. They may also call the school office and ask for a translator. As much as possible, notices sent home will have the information in both English and Spanish. School personnel will practice positive, effective home-school communications.
Evaluation
Dumas ISD’s District Council will be involved in the process of school review and improvement. Parents of children in the Title I program will be part of this group. The aim will be to evaluate the schools in this district, collecting information in a variety of ways.
There will be an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the Title I parental involvement program, and parents will be asked for their input. The evaluation will include an assessment of how much involvement is increasing and what barriers to parental participation still need to be overcome. The school district will revise its parent involvement on the basis of this annual review.
This commitment to family involvement has been approved by the school board of Dumas ISD. The policy will be coordinated by Title I supervisory staff and teachers throughout the district and promoted by building principals and other school staff.
