The Gordon County Board of Education recognizes that a child's education is a responsibility shared by the school and family during the entire period the child spends in school. To support the goal of the Gordon County School System to educate all students and its mission "to implement quality comprehensive educational programs and opportunities in a caring and nurturing environment," the schools and parents must work as knowledgeable partners.

While diverse in culture, language, and needs, parents share the school's commitment to the educational success of their children. The Gordon County School System and the schools within its boundaries, in collaboration with parents, shall establish programs and practices that enhance parent involvement and reflect the specific needs of students and their families.

Further, the system affirms and assures that such programs and practices meet or exceed the requirements set forth by any federal and/or state legislation for the involvement of parents in all programs with associated funding. This includes, but is not limited to, federal programs (specifically Title I), Pre-kindergarten Programs, Early Intervention Programs (EIP), Programs for the Limited English Proficient (LEP), Gifted, Students with Disabilities, Student Support Services, and any other related programs.

To this end, the Gordon County Board of Education supports the development, implementation, and regular evaluation of parent involvement programs in each school which involve parents at all grade levels in a variety of roles. The parent involvement programs shall be comprehensive and coordinated in nature and may include, but not be limited to, the following components of successful parent involvement programs:

∙ Communication - Communication between home and school shall be regular, two-way, and meaningful. Communication may be maintained through direct contact, conferences, written documents, web-based networks, and other multi-media strategies and activities including local radio and TV support. School plans shall include measures to communicate with parents in a language that can be understood.

∙ Student Learning - Parents shall play an integral role in assisting student learning. Parents shall be informed of expectations and standards for students in each subject area at each grade level. Further, parents shall be provided opportunities, resources, and information to support student learning, educational programs, and post-secondary education and career choices.

In compliance with federal Title I legislation, parents shall be informed annually of the school's accountability (adequate yearly progress) status, school choice and supplemental services provisions, and applicable teacher quality provisions. Such information, if required, shall be sent to parents by the school principal at the beginning of each school year.

∙ Parenting - Parenting skills are promoted and supported. Schools shall reach out to all families and demonstrate respect for the family's primary role in the rearing of children to become responsible adults. Support, through such means as the Family Advocate Program, school nurses and counselors, and Family Connections, shall be provided by the system to communicate the importance of positive relationships between parents and their children and to link parents to programs and resources within the community that provide support services to families.

Volunteering - Parents shall be welcome in the school, and their support and assistance shall be sought and appreciated. Parents shall be valued as resources and provided appropriate opportunities to use their interests and talents within the schools. The system and schools shall create and maintain a climate in which parents feel valued and welcome and that reflects the system's mission of a caring and nurturing environment.

∙ School Decision Making and Advocacy - Parents shall be involved in decisions that affect children and families. Parents shall have representation and advisory responsibilities on the School Council as set forth by Georgia state law. Additionally, parents shall be encouraged to participate in Parent-Teacher Organizations and other program advisory groups to identify and respond to issues of interest to parents.

Input from parents shall be sought in compliance with programs such as Title I, LEP, Special Education, EIP, Pre-K, Gifted, and all other federal and state programs with parent involvement requirements. Subsequent to Title I requirements, an annual program review shall be conducted by the Title I Director. Documentation of parent involvement shall be kept, as required by programs, at the school and system level.

Collaborating with Community - Community resources shall be used to strengthen schools, families, and student learning. Business partners and services groups shall be engaged with each school in meaningful collaboration to advance student learning. Collaborative approaches to providing cultural, recreational, academic, health, social, and other resources and information shall be supported.

Employers shall be encouraged to adopt policies and practices that promote and support adult participation in children's education.