Question 39
How do you include parents in the planning of career paths and portfolios
for the students?
STW Wizard Strategies
Strategy 1
You may want to use these tools developed that are being developed in
Minnesota and will be released this summer:
- Reach for Your Dreams-K-3 interactive video and activity sheets for
the parents and the child
- Many Doors to Opportunity: Exploring Tomorrow's Careers-parent education
package with everything for a parent meeting including a 25 minute video
tape, Parent's Handbook, Facilitator's Guide, Public Service Announcements
& Promotional Posters.
- It's My Life-4-8 grade booklet for parents and children to begin to
develop an awareness and begin to explore careers. (currently available)
Strategy 2
In Richardson, Texas we use person centered planning to get the student
and parent's input prior to the transition meeting. We also send out a
brochure explaining what will be covered during the transition planning
meeting.
We have a newsletter which is sent out to parents regarding issues surrounding
transition and host at least two evening meetings where parents and students
can find out about interagency collaboration and post secondary educational
options. When parents find that there are other options available for their
students we seem to have more involvement. It is a slow process.
The UAP program in Texas has developed a program to train parents to
train parents on advocacy and transition issues. We are planning on involving
some of our school district parents in this training so that we can have
parent trainers. The contact at the Texas
UAP (uap.edb.utexas.edu) is Shelley Dumas.
Strategy 3
Parents at every level should be intimately involved in the planning
of career paths for students. At lower grade levels, children develop portfolios
on their reading and writing skills and move to content area skills. They
will include in their elementary years their art, their writing, their reflections
on content area, and their extracurricular activities. Parents should be
signing their portfolios and will be in fact in some cases helping their
children put together portfolios.
At the junior high and senior high levels, the portfolios will be developed
to encompass more complex activities, reflective of students lives. Parents
should be periodically looking at the portfolio, and have a sheet inserted
in the portfolio which shows that they have reviewed the portfolio, and
have signed it. They should have an opportunity to write comments on the
portfolio, meet with teachers on the portfolio, and generally have regular
parental oversight on the development of a portfolio.
As far as parent input in career paths, there is no question that parents
will be a partner with the student and the school. The school is the vehicle
by which students learn, but parents are legally and morally and reasonably
responsible for oversight, for perspective and direction for their children.
One cannot hold parents responsible for all the negative activities of
students and then not give them responsibility to direct the positive aspects
of their children's lives. This requires that schools make greater efforts
to include parents as partners in education at all levels and in all activities.
And it is imperative that they are a part of the educational decisions of
minor children.
Strategy 4
I have found that the best way to involve parents is to involve the student
in his or her own planning - the more parents see that we care about and
honestly want to help plan the best future with their child, the more involved
they become. Also, something that seems obvious but often is not done -
do not plan meetings when parents cannot be there - choose a meeting time
with them, not for them!
Strategy 5
I am sure you want a more comprehensive answer, but the obvious one is
to ask them! It is amazing how much help you can get when you ask for input,
particularly when you have some specific questions to ask. Make it clear
what you want the to do and that you feel the need for parent input to be
part of the planning process their child. Invite them to planning meetings;
enlist their involvement in the strategy sessions when establishing the
path; show interest in their point of view, value their input. | 
