Posted by:
Robert (Sandy) Goodlett
State admin/coordinator
Lawrenceburg, KY

Topic:
School Climate Promotes Partnerships

Message:
My observations lead me to believe that if a school faculty and staff are sincere about parent and community involvement, they must have a coordinated plan that offers meaningful opportunities for parents and community. Too often, school staff approach parent and community involvement as something that should be done, but have no coordinated plan for success. Often the result is a plan with no coordination or a plan that patronizes and thus projects a very negative image of intent of the staff.

One of the primary factors in the lack of a coordinated approach the parent and community involvement is the lack of an individual or individuals who have responsibility for the development, implementation and maintainance of a plan. In Kentucky we are fortunate to have a network of Family Resource and Youth Services Centers that provide funds to employ a coordinator who can, as part of their job duties, become the individual who can achieve the above mentioned duties. In fact, as these centers are funded, the SOP encourages the development of such a plan.

But the question remains, how does a school staff which does not have a person such as our coordinators establish a viable plan? Unfortunately there is no one answer but there is a process. The process revolves around the development of an advisory committee that is appointed to assist in the functioning of the school. Such an approach must have the approval of the principal and any other governing body assocated whth the school. If all agree the advisory committee can provide the mechanism to allow meaningful dialogue among the school staff, parents and community is a safe setting. The real challange is to assure that all participants have a say and that that say is valued. Obviously such a group does not come together easily or quickly. It takes time and effort to reach a level where all parties opinions and ideas are given equal value.

In any event it is essential that whatever vehicle is used, the participants are made to feel at ease and to instill a feeling that their input is respected and when possible used. The key is a plan that is consistant and dynamic.

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