Tennessee Parental Involvement Standards
In a 2009 legislative session Senate Bill No. 293 was enacted which required the Tennessee Department of Education to develop parental involvement standards in public schools. Each school district and school will be required to report compliance on these standards. The compliance for the standards will be on the Tennessee Report Card beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. Starting in the spring of 2011, a survey from the State Department will be sent to each school district to obtain the compliance information.
The Tennessee Standards listed below are based on the PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships. These standards were adopted by the State Board of Education on July 30, 2010.
Standard 1: Welcoming all families into the school community
Families are active participants in the life of the school, and feel welcomed, valued and connected to each other, to school staff, and to what students are learning and doing in class and school.
Standard 2: Communicating effectively
Families and school staff engage in regular, two-way, meaningful communication about student learning.
Standard 3: Supporting student success
Families and school staff continuously work together to support students’ learning and healthy development both at home and at school, and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills to do so effectively.
Standard 4: Speaking up for every child
Families are informed and enabled to be advocates for their own and other children, to ensure that students are treated fairly and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success.
Standard 5: Sharing power
Families and school staff are equal partners with equal representation in decisions that affect students and families and together inform, influence, and create policies, practices, and programs.
Standard 6: Collaborating with community
Families and school staff work together with community members to connect students, families, and staff to expanded learning opportunities, community services, and civic participation.
