File:  KB - Parent Engagement in Education

The Board of Education believes that the education of each student is a responsibility shared by the school as well as parents and families. Engaging parents and families is essential to student achievement. The Board recognizes the need for a constructive partnership between the district and parents that provides for two-way communication and fosters educational support for students, parents, and families. In this policy, the word "parent" means a child's biological parent, adoptive parent, legal guardian, or other adult person recognized by the child's school as the child's primary caregiver.

In keeping with these beliefs, it is the district's intention to cultivate and support active parent and family engagement and to set and realize goals for parent and family engagement in education.

To that end all district schools will:

1.  Consult with and encourage parents and families to share in school and district planning and in the setting of objectives through participating in school and district accountability committees.

2.  Help parents and families understand the educational process and their role in supporting student achievement through regular, meaningful communication.

3.  Inform parents and families of school choices and learning opportunities within the district, including but not limited to, information on open enrollment, choice programs, and charter school options.

4.  Provide opportunities for parents and families to be informed about their student´s progress toward attaining proficiency on district academic standards through written materials and public meetings. Information shall explain how the student´s progress will be measured and how parents and families will be informed of such progress. This information will also be provided to the school and district accountability committees.

5.  Provide appropriate avenues for parents and families to find support in their role.

6.  Encourage formal organizations for parents and families at each school building as well as at the district level. The organizations will receive information concerning district and school activities and will have opportunities for input into district and school decisions as appropriate.

7.  Encourage and welcome parent volunteers in the schools.

8.  Create an inclusive culture honoring the lived experience of students, parents, and families in the school and district community.

9.  Invest in building trusting relationships to strengthen the partnership between students, parents, and families and the school building and district regarding the education outcomes for children and youth.

The Board supports professional development opportunities for staff to enhance their understanding of effective parent engagement strategies.

The Board also recognizes the special importance of parental involvement to the success of its Title I, Migrant Education Program (MEP), and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) programs and directs the superintendent to ensure that the district and schools jointly develop parent involvement policies that meet the requirements of federal law.

Adopted: August 11, 2003

Revised: June 17, 2013

Revised: October 30, 2017

Revised: August 16, 2021

LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-7-301 et seq. (measures to increase parental involvement in public education)

C.R.S. 22-11-302 (1)(g) (duties of the district accountability committee include increasing parent engagement)

C.R.S. 22-11-402 (1)(h) (duties of the school accountability committees include increasing parent engagement)

C.R.S. 22-30.5-109 (publicity regarding educational options)

C.R.S. 22-32-142 (1) (board must adopt parent engagement policy and identify a district employee to act as "point of contact")

CROSS REFS.: AE, Accountability/Commitment to Accomplishment

AEA, Standards Based Education

KBA, District Title I Parent Involvement

KD, Public Information and Communications