The governing board of each school district and county office of education shall establish a written parent and family engagement program for each school in the district that receives funds under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 6301 et seq.), as amended by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95). That program shall contain at least the following elements: (c) Procedures to provide assistance and support necessary to build schools’ capacity to plan and implement effective parent and family engagement activities.

(a) The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop information, and submit this information to the State Board of Education for its approval. This information shall be for distribution to school districts and, to the extent feasible, for posting on the State Department of Education Internet website, to strengthen and promote the opportunity for quality involvement by parents and guardians in schoolsite councils whose composition meets the requirements of Section 52012. In developing the information, the Superintendent of Public Instruction may use documents currently available from nonprofit organizations, such as Ed Source and the California Parent Teacher Association, or state and local government agencies. (b) The information shall be provided to each school district and county office of education and may be made available for parents and guardians who are members of schoolsite councils whose composition meets the requirements of Section 52012 and shall cover at least the following topics: (1) Operation of schoolsite advisory bodies, including bylaws, group responsibilities, and roles. (2) Public meeting notice requirements. (3) Information about the total budget of a school district and how funds are distributed to schoolsite advisory bodies, including, but not limited to, the amount of funds distributed to schoolsites. (4) Information about the school district and state Standard of expected pupil achievement in core academic subjects for each grade level. (5) Instruction on how to interpret data from the pupil performance measures selected by the school district. (6) A definition of “significant gains made by pupils” toward meeting the Standard of expected pupil achievement. (7) Research–based information about curriculum and teaching strategies that will improve pupil performance. (8) The right to information under the Public Records Act set forth in Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code. (9) Information regarding the educational and training needs for pupils, as identified and expressed by local employers, former pupils of the school district, and postsecondary education institutions. (c) In addition to the composition set forth in Section 52012, a schoolsite council at the middle school level may, but is not required to, include pupil representation.

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) It is essential to our democratic form of government that parents and guardians of schoolage children attending public schools and other citizens participate in improving public education institutions. Specifically, involving parents and guardians of pupils in the education process is fundamental to a healthy system of public education. (b) Research has shown conclusively that early and sustained family involvement at home and at school in the education of children results both in improved pupil achievement and in schools that are successful at educating all children, while enabling them to achieve high levels of performance. (c) All participants in the education process benefit when schools genuinely welcome, encourage, and guide families into establishing equal partnerships with schools to support pupil learning. (d) Family and school collaborative efforts are most effective when they involve parents and guardians in a variety of roles at all grade levels, from preschool through high school.

Upon approval of the materials by the State Board of Education, the State Department of Education shall make materials available that describe a comprehensive partnership at a schoolsite that involves parents and guardians of pupils in the public schools of California in the education of their children in a variety of roles at all grade levels on or before December 31, 1999. The materials shall include information about the possible roles of each teacher, principal, parent or guardian, and other school personnel in fostering and participating in parent involvement activities and programs. The materials shall also include a statement that the right of parents and guardians to participate in parent activities and programs shall only apply to the extent that the participation does not conflict with a valid restraining order, protective order, or order for custody or visitation issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The Department of Education shall develop guidelines for the selection of advisory committees established or maintained pursuant to this section by May 1, 1981.

This document provides districts with guidance to engage families.

This document provides guidance to districts and schools for engaging families.