The Massachusetts Parent Involvement Project
Increasing Involvement in Math, Science & Technology
A collaboration of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The Museum Institute for Teaching Science
Thirty years of research shows that greater family involvement in children’s learning is a critical link to achieving high quality education. Strong Families, Strong Schools
(Building Community Partnerships for Learning, 1994)
Dear Parent,
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Parent Involvement
Project has developed this informational brochure outlining ways
for parents to involve their children in math, science and technology
education. Included are helpful suggestions for museums, libraries,
school and community groups on how to increase parent involve-ment.
This brochure also provides tips for parents to be more active in
their children’s education. Take some time and review The Massachusetts
Parent Involvement Project. Increase the involvement of
parents in your community.
Thank you,
David Driscoll
Commissioner of Education
The Massachusetts Parent Involvement Project supports Local Community
Coalitions composed of parents, leaders from community organiza-tions,
businesses, school personnel, and representatives from the
PALMS leadership team (Partnerships Advancing the Learning of Mathematics
and Science). Each coalition plans and implements outreach,
special events and other activities to help increase parents’ awareness of
and involvement in their children’s mathematics, science and technol-ogy
learning.
The Project provides three key supports to Local Community Coalitions:
Training to build the capacity for the coalitions to work together
productively, to experience and spread enthusiasm for involvement in
MST education, and to include and engage parents throughout their
respective districts. Hands-on, minds-on activities designed by museum educators for
parents and children to explore together in familiar community settings. -
Ongoing Technical Assistance from regional project liaisons to support
coalitions in reaching and maintaining contact with parents and others
in the community.
WATCHING THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS
One Sunday afternoon, I agreed to babysit for my girlfriend
and her 8 children. I didn’t know what I was going to do with
them for the day. I decided to take my MassPIP Kit Box with
me. The children ranged in ages from 4-15. I set out to test the
kits. The older children helped with the younger ones and after
awhile we realized that 4 hours had gone by! When it was time
for me to leave, I thanked them all for helping me with my
science testing and they looked shocked! The 10 year old girl
(whom her mother told me hates school, especially science)
said, "No way! That wasn’t science." I said, "Oh, yes, it was!"
This launched a conversation about what science was. It was a
great experience for me and for the children.
Cheryl Jackson, Parent Liaison
WHAT FAMILIES CAN DO FOR THEIR CHILDREN
Parents don’t need to be doctors, to know their child is sick.
Therefore, they don’t need to be scientists to know that math
and science are important.
Mother, Dorchester
- Talk to your child’s teacher. Ask what you can do at home to strengthen daily lessons.
- Ask your child to explain his mathematics, science and technology homework.
- Help your children schedule homework time, and make sure assignments are completed.
- Encourage the daily use of mathematics, science and technology skills, such as observing, asking questions, estimating, measuring, noticing change, solving problems, testing ideas, and exploring new experiences.
- Take your child to a museum, the park, or for a walk. Talk together about what you see.
- Remember that it is okay if you do not know all the answers. Mathematics, science and technology are about exploration and discovery.
- Talk with your child, and listen to him. Be enthusiastic! Help children feel the excitement of observation and discovery.
- Encourage your child to look around his neighborhood, find different examples of math, science and technology.
BUILDING A PARTNERSHIP
I began to spend time in the classroom with my son’s teacher.
I would bring her postings from the school bulletin board,
which related to teaching. There was a Museum Institute for
Teaching Science (MITS) summer workshop being offered for
teachers in the summer, and I decided I would attend with her.
[The MITS workshops are for teachers to learn mathematics,
science and technology from participating museums]. I also
went into her classroom and helped her when she became
discouraged with the children, and even gave her my com-ments
about how she was with the children. She had to teach
the curriculum and sometimes the kids were disruptive.
Margarita Poles, Parent
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO AT SCHOOL
Success of my child depends on me and my husband. Be-ing
involved means success in school and success ultimately in life.
Mother, Springfield
- Be aware of the Curriculum Frameworks and find out how they are being used in your child’s classroom. Try some sample MCAS test questions at home with your child.
- Talk with your child’s teacher. Send in notes to the teacher about the progress and problems your child is having.
- Attend school council meetings, classroom special events, and other school events.
- Volunteer to assist on field trips, hiring committees, fundraising events.
- Start a parent newsletter in your school and get everyone involved. If your school has an established newsletter, make sure it reflects various concerns of parents.
- Find out how well your school district did on MCAS in math, science and technology.
- Locate the parent leaders in the community and the school to help you advocate for your child.
|  |
SCHOOLS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
How do parents become parent leaders? What causes them to take the
next step? This parent credits a school official’s encouragement.
Originally, Colleen Tuson decided to volunteer her time at her
daughter’s school in Falmouth. What transformed her from a
simple volunteer into a parent leader was a letter she received
from the school principal. Although she realizes that it probably
took only a few minutes to write, the letter inspires her every-day.
It is handwritten and about a paragraph long, and ac-knowledges
that her presence at school is needed and valued.
"Few parents ask us, what can we do?"
Colleen keeps the letter with her and rereads it whenever she
feels frustrated. "It sucked me in", she explains. From that
point on, she has been advocating for other parents and their
children. The principal’s simple statement created a powerful
parent leader and strong school partner.
What Schools Can Do
"If families are to work with schools as partners in the educa-tion
of their children, schools must provide them with the
opportunities and support they need to become involved."
Alliance Access
- Provide training for the staff in parent involvement.
- Assign homework that engages parents. For example, encourage families to strengthen math, science and technology skills by exploring the natural world in their neighborhood.
- Provide information translated in different languages on how families can support mathematics, science and technology in the home.
- Expand after school programming to include hands-on experiences in mathematics, science and technology. Extended school hours in the afternoon, evening, or on weekends can provide students and their families opportunities to take part in learning activities together.
- Provide parents with opportunities individually and collectively to make decisions about goals and standards for children.
- Make the school a comfortable place for parents. Have a parents’ room or area in the school with parent resources. Use friendly signs to direct parents in the school building.
FAMILY CENTER’S SCIENCE AND MATH MONTH
The Belchertown Family Center created "Science and Math
Month" during February. This effort exposed parents to the importance
of getting involved in their children’s mathematics, science
and technology education. Math and science materials and activities
were available in the family center for all visitors. "Science and
Math Month" gave parents and children additional resources, and
showed parents that math, science and technology can be discovery,
exploration and fun. The center will continue to stress the
importance of getting parents involved in their children’s mathematics,
science and technology education.
What Community Groups Can Do
"Combining resources of CBOs, community centers, neigh-borhood
councils, health centers, colleges, etc. helps to
promote math, science and technology programs and activi-ties
for the benefit of the entire community."
Educator
- Community centers, community based organizations (CBOs) and religious organizations can sponsor family math, science and technology activities.
- Community centers, CBOs and religious organizations can organize volunteer programs using high school and college students who are proficient in math, science and technology to help middle and high school students in need of tutoring.
- Municipal organizations (waste disposal, water treatment, recycling facilities, reservoirs) can offer tours for families.
- Park departments can offer nature courses and other activities for families.
- Youth organizations (Boy/Girl Scouts) can sponsor math, science and technology events.
- Social Service agencies can incorporate math, science and technology into their child care, after-school programs, counseling, homework and parenting hotlines.
- Local newspapers and TV can promote family activities.
On the Web......at Home or in the Library
- Exploratorium - The Museum of Science, Art, and Human Perception
- Science experiments for the home.
- The Annenberg/CBB Math and Science Project
- helps schools and communities to improve their math and science education.
- National Parent Information Network
- publishes information for parents and others with a stake in education. This site offers a listing of electronic versions of popular pamphlets and brochures which address parents’ concerns about their children’s education.
- Massachusetts Library Board of Commissioners Science Resource Guide.
- The MA Science Resource Guide includes interactive links to many of the statewide resources which extend further opportunities for scientific inquiry and exploration. These resources were selected primarily to offer hands-on experiences to students.
Science Kits and Books
Many Libraries carry science kits as well as collections
of math, science and technology material. Here are just a few titles:
- Beyond Fact & Flashcards; Exploring Math with your Kids. Jan Mokros. Heinemann, Portsmouth, NH. 1999.
- The I Hate Mathematics! Book. Marilyn Burns. Little, Brown & Co., NY. 1975.
- The Science Explorer Out and About. The Exploratorium. Henry Holt & Co., NY. 1997.
What Libraries Can Do
"Libraries are wonderful places, and books should not be about reading but about everything around you. Also, parents need to continue to learn with their children."
Parent, Boston
- Get involved in your community’s activities such as town days, school fairs, craft fairs, and Family Math and Science Nights.
- Showcase math and science materials at the library and elsewhere.
- Work in partnership with nearby museums or other informal education sites, and offer passes to library users. Acquire math, science and technology resource materials, especially those unique to your community.
- Send library representatives to community organizations meetings to become better aquainted with your neighborhood and to raise awareness about how libraries support communities.
- Think of creative ways to reach parents who do not usually enter the library:
- Hold Family Math and Science Nights in the library
- Offer room for meetings
- Offer space on bulletin boards for community events
- Take part in community-wide events such as street fairs, cultural events, and festivals
MOVEABLE EXHIBITS
Last May, Boston’s Local Community Coalition held Dudley
Discovery Day. Parents and children were invited to come and to
explore the math and science resources in their neighborhood.
The New England Aquarium, at that time a member of Boston’s
coalition, took part.
The Aquarium staff brought a small tidal pool, which contained
live animals that parents and children could observe and touch.
Parents were amazed to see the tidal pool, and were delighted to
have the museum in their own neighborhood.
What Museums Can Do
- Plan activities for parents and children to work together.
- Provide steps for parents that would allow them to apply the math, science and technology in museum exhibits to the every day world.
- Translate material for parents who might not go to the museum due to language barriers.
- Host a family math and science event at the museum.
- Recognize the uniqueness of the neighborhood where you are located.
- Seek corporations or foundations to support a free pass system.
- If there is no public transportation to the museum, charter a bus to pick up families for special events.
- Give discounts for museums’ entrance fees.
- Extend closing time on family night.
|
 |
"I like watching my son getting excited about learning, being surprised."
Parent, The Literacy Center, North Attleboro
"It is nice to do a learning experiment with your child. I would love to try some of these at home."
Parent, The Literacy Center, North Attleboro
What Adult Literacy Centers Can Do
The desire to help their children succeed in school is a clear goal for many learners in adult literacy programs. Here are some ways that literacy programs can help parents:
- Support adult students’ efforts to help their children in school. Encourage parents in your program to share their successes and challenges in helping their kids.
- Help parents in your classes find information and learn more about the MCAS test and how it affects their children. Call MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at (781) 338-3000
- Contact your PALMS Regional Provider and ask to be included on the mailing list, so you can learn about parent involvement intiatives and resources in your area.
- Find out about Family Math, Science and Technology events in your community, and encourage groups of adult learners to attend with their children.
- Take advantage of training opportunities. Help an ABE class host a Family Math, Science and Technology event for other parents and their children, or invite the local school to use your site.
- If you are in a MassPIP district, join your local community coalition, and help adult learners join so their voices can be heard.
TIPLINE
1-877-MassPIP is a tipline for parents seeking ways to be
involved in their child’s mathematics, science and technology
education. The MassPIP tipline was a donation from a busi-ness
partner.
Today’s economy demands more than rote skills. It demands
analytic power, disciplined thinking, and creative imagina-tion.
Mastery of math & science concepts is the foundation
on which to build the skills necessary for success in today’s
changing economy.
--The Formula for Success: A Business
Leader’s Guide to Supporting Math and Science Achievement, May 1998
What Businesses Can Do
"The difference between getting a $25,000 a year job and a
$250,000 a year job is how well you can read and write. If
you can’t express yourself [in school] , how will you be able
to express yourself when it’s time to get a job?"
Father, Springfield
What a business can do to support its employees
- Support employees who need to attend parent conferences and other significant school activities during the school day.
- Highlight the involvement of parents and employees in your internal and external communications.
- Provide lunchtime seminars and information for employees.
- Call the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at (781) 338-3000. Ask for MCAS information to distribute to employees.
What a business can do to support the community
- Serve as a community partner in school and family initiatives.
- Offer resources to community or school groups.
- Arrange for students and their teachers to visit your workplace to get exposure and actual work experience, and to understand the skills needed for real jobs.
- Provide technical assistance and training for teachers to acquaint them with skills that students will need in the workplace.
PREPARING FOR THE MCAS
"What are you doing to be more involved in your child’s school?"
"I am forming a reading club in my daughter’s school for 3rd
graders, getting ready for the MCAS. I met with the principal and
the librarian and we are working on an after-school book club. We
will meet and read chapters in biology and nature books, and
discuss what was read instead of the student’s writing. I just want
the kids to talk, think and relate what the story meant before they
sit down and write it on paper. Then when they do sit down and
take the MCAS test they will be able to write."
Cheryl Jackson, Parent Liaison, Springfield
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT - The MCAS Student Tests
| WHEN : | The MCAS student tests are given in the spring. |
| WHAT: | MCAS stands for Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System |
| WHO: | Currently the MCAS tests are given to students in the 4th, 8th, and 10th grades. |
| WHY: | The MCAS tests are part of the 1993 Education Re-form Act. Beginning with the class of 2003, students must pass the 10th grade MCAS in order to graduate. |
WHAT CAN A PARENT DO TO HELP A CHILD BEFORE THE TEST?
- Speak with your child’s teacher(s) or guidance counselor to learn about the curriculum being taught, homework assignments, etc., and how you can help at home.
- Get a copy or sample of the MCAS test questions from ( MCAS Parent Information Hotline- 1-866-MCAS220 or the MCAS website )
- Make sure your child attends class everyday.
WHAT CAN A PARENT DO DURING THE 2 WEEKS OF TESTING?
- Make sure your child is in school during the testing weeks
.
- Make sure your child gets pleanty of rest, exercise, and a healthy breakfast.
WHAT CAN A PARENT DO AFTER THE TEST SCORES HAVE BEEN RELEASED?
- Make an appointment with the current teacher immediately! Even if your child scored well on the exam, there is always room for improvement.
- If there is a problem area, find out what resources are in place that can help you and your child.
- Be supportive. Let your child know that you are in this together.
last updated: September 15, 1999
|
