Speaking For Every Child

Parents know their children best; the schools need their help to ensure academic success for every child.

The Anchorage School District's view of parental involvement is that "positive parent involvement is essential to student achievement." They encourage parents to be advocates for their child by helping the school get to know their child better. They ask parents to ensure the teacher, principal and staff are apprised of any special needs their child has as well as attend conferences and communicate with the teacher and school staff anytime there is a question or concern. 

This "Speaking For Every Child" component of successful family engagement states that "Families are empowered 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."

National Parent Involvement Standard 6:

Goal 1: Understanding How the School System Works 

• Do parents know how the local school and district operate and how to raise questions or concerns about school and district programs, policies, and activities? 

• Do they understand their rights and responsibilities under federal and state law as well as local ordinances and policies?

Indicators that this goal has been met consist of the following:
❖ Understanding how the school and district operate
❖ Understanding rights and responsibilities under federal and state laws
❖ Learning about resources
❖ Resolving problems and conflicts

Listed below are some resources to help parents meet this goal:

NCLB Parents' Rights - Sacramento City Unified School District
Parents Guide 2003- US Department of Educaiton
Parents' Rights Under Section 504- ASD

ASD's Statement of Non-Discrimination:
It is the policy of the Anchorage School District to provide equal educational and employment opportunities, and to provide services and benefits to all students and employees without regard to race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, marital status, change in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood or other prohibitions. This policy is consistent with numerous laws, regulations, and executive orders enforced by various federal, state, and municipal agencies, including but not limited to Executive Order 11246, Title 41, part 60‐1, 60‐2, 60‐3, 60‐20, Title VI and VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, and Section 504.

Goal 2: Empowering Families to Support Their Own and Other Children’s Success in School

• Are parents prepared to monitor students’ progress and guide them toward their goals through high school graduation, post-secondary education, and a career?

Indicators that this goal has been met consist of the following:
❖ Developing families’ capacity to be effective advocates
❖ Planning for the future
❖ Smoothing transitions
❖ Engaging in civic advocacy for student achievement

Resources to Help Parents Meet this Goal

Progress Monitoring via Zangle - Anchorage School District (ASD)

Preparing Your Child For Success & The Power of Involvement - ASD

Advocacy Article:
"A Parent's Guide to Response to Intervention (RTI)" by Susan Bruce, Regional Education Coordinator

Helpful Forms for Parents:
Permission Form for Student Surveys for Anchorage School District
How to Write a Letter to Congress along with a template from About.com

Template for your letter to your Congressional Representative:

Your name

Your address

Date, year

Congresswoman / Congressman their name

Local District office address

Dear Congresswoman / Congressman their name,

Sentence 1:   This letter is to urge you to...

OR      I am writing to request that you…

OR      The reason for this letter is to encourage you to...

co-sponsor Bill number H.R. 808 to establish a cabinet-level Department of Peace and Nonviolence.

Sentence 2:   I understand that…

OR      My information is that…

OR      It is expected that…

the Bill was re-introduced on February 5, 2007.

Sentence 3:   I am personally concerned that...

OR      I strongly feel that…

OR      It is time that we….

Fill in the blank:             _______________________________________________________________.

Sentence 4:   The Department of Peace and Nonviolence Bill will …

OR      The proposed Department of Peace and Nonviolence would…

OR      The DOP Bill contains provisions to…

Fill in the blank with something abut the Bill that links to your Sentence 3:

_______________________________________________________________ .

Sentence 5:   I genuinely appreciate the role you play in shaping our country.

OR      Thank you for all you do as our representative in Washington.

            OR      Thank you for your efforts to make peace a reality in our lifetime.

Respectfully, OR Warm regards, OR Sincerely,

Sign here

Print your name legibly under your signature.