G-9--The local board of education, district leadership, and staff collaborate with families and community members who represent diverse interests and needs to mobilize community resources that improve teaching and learning.

1. The local board of education, district leadership, and staff systematically and frequently provide information to the public about school programs.

2. The district has procedures to involve family and community members in educational activities.

3. District leadership identifies preschool opportunities available to children and informs family and community members about the importance of early childhood education.

G-10--The district's birth through prekindergarten population will have access to high-quality early learning experiences that will prepare them to succeed in school.

G-11--The district provides opportunities for parents/guardians to learn about the intellectual and developmental needs of their children at all ages and to participate constructively in their children's education.

1. Parent education activities are provided as required by the Early Childhood Development Act (ECDA).

2. The district actively cooperates with other agencies and parent and community groups (e.g., parent teacher organizations and Title I) to provide information related to child development and/or parenting skills.

3. Formal strategies are in place to include parents/guardians in the educational process.

The webpage describes the benefits of family engagement and provides links to resources to schools and school districts looking to engage families.

3. The board of education of each school district shall, in consultation with the state board, educational personnel, local associations, and organizations of parents whose children are enrolled in public schools of the school district and individual parents and legal guardians whose children are enrolled in public schools of the school district, adopt policies no later than March 1, 2006, which encourage effective involvement by parents and families in support of their children and the education of their children. The policies adopted pursuant to this subsection must:

   • (1) Be consistent, to the extent applicable, with the policy adopted by the state board pursuant to subsection 1 of this section; and

   • (2) Include the elements and goals specified in subsection 2 of this section.

4. The state board and the board of trustees of each school district shall, at least once each year, review and amend their respective policies as necessary.

The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting apart the second week of September as “Parent and Family Involvement in Education Week”, and recommending to the people of the state that the week be appropriately observed through activities that will bring about an increased awareness of the importance and benefits of parent and family involvement in education and encourage greater involvement of parents and families in their children’s education, both in the school and in the home. The parent and family involvement in education week recognizes that parent and family involvement in a child’s education is a major factor in determining success in school, regardless of the socio-economic status, race, or ethnic background of the family, or the education level of the parents.

This model local wellness policy from the Missouri School Board Association addresses family involvement and provides a list of strategies that districts can implement to achieve family involvement in nutrition education and physical education and activity to promote student health.