(1) For the purposes of OAR 581-022-2250 the following definitions apply: …

• (c) "Family and community engagement" means a system of shared responsibility in which schools and other community agencies and organizations are committed to engaging families in meaningful and culturally respectful ways while families are committed to actively supporting their childrens learning and development. ... (5) As part of setting local goals, school districts shall undertake a communications process that involves parents, students, teachers, school employees and community representatives to explain and discuss the local goals and their relationship to programs in the continuous improvement plan.

(1) (a) The Department of Education shall require school districts and schools to conduct self-evaluations and to periodically update their local district continuous improvement plans. Except as provided by paragraph (b)(C) of this subsection, the department may not require school districts or schools to conduct self-evaluations or to update their local district continuous improvement plans more frequently than biennially. ... (2) As part of setting local goals, school districts shall undertake a communications process that involves parents, students, teachers, school employees and community representatives to explain and discuss the local goals and their relationship to programs under this chapter.

The Legislative Assembly recognizes that students in public elementary and secondary schools can best reach the levels of performance expected under the provisions of this chapter with parental and community participation in the education process. It is, therefore, recommended but not required that: (1)  School districts provide opportunities for parents or guardians to be involved in establishing and implementing educational goals and to participate in decision-making at the school site; (2)  Employers recognize the need for parents or guardians and members of the community to participate in the education process not only for their own children but for the educational system; (3)  Employers be encouraged to extend appropriate leave to parents or guardians to allow greater participation in that process during school hours; (4)  School districts enter into partnerships with business, labor and other groups to provide workplace-based professional development opportunities for their educational staff; and (5)  School districts enter into partnerships with recreation groups, faith-based organizations, social service and health care agencies, businesses, child care providers and other groups that support children and families to create community learning centers for students, parents and members of the surrounding community.

(1) Nothing in this section shall interfere with the duties, responsibilities and rights of duly elected school district boards. There shall be established at each school a 21st Century Schools Council. The duties of a 21st Century Schools Council shall include but not be limited to:

• (a) The development of plans to improve the professional growth of the school’s staff;
• (b) The improvement of the school’s instructional program;
• (c) The development and coordination of plans for the implementation of programs under this chapter at the school; and
• (d) The administration of grants-in-aid for the professional development of teachers and classified district employees.

(2) A 21st Century Schools Council shall be composed of teachers, parents, classified employees and principals or the principal’s designee, as follows:

• (a) Not more than half of the members shall be teachers;
• (b) Not more than half of the members shall be parents of students attending that school;
• (c) At least one member shall be a classified employee; and
• (d) One member shall be the principal of the building or the principal’s designee.

(3) In addition, other members may be as the school district shall designate, including but not limited to business leaders, students and members of the community at large.