Virginia Parent Resource Centers…

…Promoting a collaborative partnership between families, schools and communities to create positive

educational outcomes for Virginia’s school children

Supported by research. . .

Research concludes “the evidence is consistent, positive and convincing: families have a major influence on their children’s achievement in school and through

life. . . .”

U.S. DOE Parent Involvement Non-Regulatory Guidance Document, April 2004

Supported by Law. . .

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act: defines parental involvement as the participation of parents in regular, two-way and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities including:

parents playing an integral role in assisting their child’s learning

parents being actively involved in their child’s education at school

parents acting as full partners in their child’s education

Supported by Law. . .

I

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act:

Provides for parent involvement throughout the special education process

Requires training for parents in the special education process

VA PRC origins. . .

In May of 1988, the Virginia Board of Education set a goal to expand the network of Parent Resource Centers statewide and to earmark funds to assist local school divisions with start-up costs.

The VA Dept of Education added personnel to serve as Parent Specialists in working with PRCs across the Commonwealth.

VA State Improvement Plan . . .

Indicator 8: The percentage of parents with a child receiving special education who report that schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities.

2008 Results

Part B Preschool 40%

Part B K-12 31%

Virginia Parent Resource Center Network

Map of VA with locations marked

http://www.vaprcs.org/

Virginia Parent Resource Centers…

…provide services within the local school system to promote meaningful family involvement including:

Maintaining a lending library of resources

Offering training on such topics as parenting, disability awareness, IEP development and the special education process and special education regulations.

Virginia Parent Resource Centers…

Providing information regarding conferences and training opportunities

Sharing community resource information

Supporting individuals within the community with one-on-one meetings, phone calls and/or emails

Publishing newsletters and maintaining websites of resources for families and educators

Virginia Parent Resource Centers

What do parents and professionals say with regard to Parent Resource Centers?

http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/vaprcs/video/Gray_0001.wmv

http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/vaprcs/video/Purple.wmv

http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/vaprcs/video/Tan.wmv

Survey ofVirginia Parent Resource Centers

Online survey emailed to all 50 PRCs

in Fall 2009

Data reported for school year 2007-2008

Number of surveys completed: 37

Return rate: 74%

Virginia Parent Resource Centers Serve...

One school division only 92%

More than one school division 8%

Areas that are:

Rural 32%

Suburban 51%

Urban 6%

Virginia Parent Resource Centers Serve Different Constituents...

• Parents

• Educators

• Otherprofessionals

• Members of the community

Parents of

Parents of

People Served

73%

100%

84%89%

35%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Children withDisabilities

Children atRisk

All children Educators Others

Virginia Parent Resource Centers Serve Parents of Children with...

11

6

6

12

11

1

15

4

24

0 5 10 15 20 25

Autism

Developmental Delay

Emotional Disturbance

Multiple Disabilities

Intellectual Disabilities

Other Health Impairment

Severe Disabilities

Specific Learning Disabilities

Speech/Language Impairment

Number of Times Cited Among the Top Three Served

Virginia Parent Resource Centers Serve Diverse Groups...

• African American

• Asian

• Hispanic

• White

• Multiracial

20%

5% 5% 5%

64%

Virginia Parent Resource Centers Help Parents Directly...

By providing training and workshops; information and resources; and telephone calls, emails, and in-person consultations.

10,770 32,576 15,594

Training

Information

Consultation

Number of Parents Served

Virginia Parent Resource Centers Provide Training...

In 2007-2008, over 750 training sessions, workshops, and presentations were conducted.

8,343

Parents

2,820

Educators

1,645

Others

Number of Participants

Virginia Parent Resource Centers Keep People Informed...

• Parents• Educators• Administrators • School Board members • Community agencies• Other service providers• Special Education Advisory Committee members

Through newsletters delivered to:

Number of Newsletters Distributed2007-2008

141,350

Virginia Parent Resource Centers Newsletters...

• Evidence-based practices

• Current research

• Advances in knowledge

• Success stories

• Local, state, and national news, events, and conferences

Provide up-to-date information about:

Virginia Parent Resource Centers Newsletters...

Sent via mail, email, school distribution, & other means.

ss

Virginia Parent Resource Centers Use Technology...

• Web site: 24

• Blog 2

• Own Web address 9

• Link on school division Web site 28

Number of PRCs Reporting They Have:

Virginia Parent Resource Centers Use Technology...

28

Link on School Division Web Site

2Blog

Number of PRCs Reporting They Have:

9

Own Web Address

24

Web Site

Top Three Concerns Reported by Virginia Parent Resource Centers...

• IEP process and content

• Behavioral issues

• Resources and support services

VA Parent Resource Centers . . .

Do so much for families and schools to build collaborative connections to improve student outcomes!