Document provides a framework, as well as a self-assessment and action-planning tools, to support district efforts to engage parents/families in the education process.

Document provides a framework to support district efforts to engage parents/families in the education process.

The State Board of Education shall provide information on its Internet web site regarding strategies that parents can use to assist their children in successfully completing homework assignments. The State Board of Education shall notify all school districts about this information’s availability on the State Board of Education’s Internet web site.

(a) This Section applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. (b) The General Assembly finds all of the following: … (3) Strong families build strong educational communities. (4) Children succeed when adults work together to foster positive educational outcomes. (5) Schools work best when families take active roles in the education of children. ... (8) A community school is a traditional school that actively partners with its community to leverage existing resources and identify new resources to support the transformation of the school to provide enrichment and additional life skill opportunities for students, parents, and community members at-large. Each community school is unique because its programming is designed by and for the school staff, in partnership with parents, community stakeholders, and students. ... (d) In order to qualify for a community school grant under this Section, a school must, at a minimum, have the following components: ... (4) A local advisory group comprised of school leadership, parents, and community stakeholders that establishes school-specific programming goals, assesses program needs, and oversees the process of implementing expanded programming. ... (6) Programming that includes academic excellence aligned with the Illinois Learning Standard, life skills, healthy minds and bodies, parental support, and community engagement and that promotes staying in school and non-violent behavior and non-violent conflict resolution. ...

Schools, school districts, local school councils, school improvement panels, and any Independent Authority established under Section 2-3.25f-5 of this Code [105 ILCS 5/2-3.25f-5] may receive technical assistance that the State Board of Education shall make available. Such technical assistance shall include without limitation assistance in the areas of curriculum evaluation, the instructional process, student performance, school environment, staff effectiveness, school and community relations, parental involvement, resource management, leadership, data analysis processes and tools, school improvement plan guidance and feedback, information regarding scientifically based research-proven curriculum and instruction, and professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators.