Student/Parent Handbook

In May of 2004 The Tennessee Legislature passed and Governor Phil Bredesen signed a bill containing a plan for improving parent participation in schools. This plan was designed to improve parent and teacher cooperation in such areas as homework, attendance and discipline. It gave procedures by which parents may learn about the course of study for their children and have access to all learning materials.  Subsequently in April, 2009, the house passed and the governor signed into law a bill requiring The Department of Education to develop standards for parental involvement in public schools. The Tennessee Parental Involvement Standards listed below are based on the PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships. Standards by definition are a level of quality or excellence that is accepted as the norm or by which actual attainments are judged. The standards, adopted in July of 2010 by The State Board of Education, are as follows:

Standard 1: Welcoming All Families into the School Community

Families are active participants in the life of the school, and feel welcomed, valued, and connected to each other, to school staff, and to what students are learning and doing in class.

Standard 2: Communicating Effectively

Families and school staff engage in regular, two-way, meaningful communication about student learning.

Standard 3: Supporting Student Success

Families and school staff continuously collaborate to support students’ learning and healthy development both at home and at school, and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and gain skills to do so effectively.

Standard 4: Speaking Up for Every Child

Families are empowered to be advocates for their own and other children, to ensure that students are treated fairly and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success.

Standard 5: Sharing Power

Families and school staff are equal partners in decisions that affect children and families and together inform, influence, and create policies, practices, and programs.

Standard 6: Collaborating with Community

Families and school staff collaborate with community members to connect students, families, and staff to expanded learning opportunities, community services, and civic participation. 

These six standards were the subject of a series of articles published in the 2013-14 issues of The Roar of the Tiger Newsletters. Explore through the archives to gain greater insight on each one.  Additionally, information can be found by visiting:

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/education/cpm/fce/fce_parent_involvement_stds_webinar.pdf