Parent Involvement

By Jesus M. Garcia

I am a strong proponent of parental involvement, I promise to support the continuation of these programs and expansion of parents as advisors in their children's education. I have and continue to be involved with a number of these activities. I recommend the all. Some of these advisory groups include:

I am a strong proponent of Parental Involvement, I promise to support the continuation of these programs and expansion of parents as advisors in their children's education. I have and continue to be involved with a number of these activities. I recommend the all. Some of these advisory groups include:

District Title I/State Compensatory Education Advisory Committee (Title1/SCE DAC)
For five years I served as chair of this committee. The goals of the Title1/SCE DAC are to provide advise to the BCSD on the planning, implementation and evaluation of educational projects funded under Title1/SCE. This committee also has the mandate to enhance parent input and support parental educational programs funded under Title I/SCE. Title I helps the following students meet state academic content and performance standards:

Low-achieving students who attend the highest-poverty schools

Limited-English proficient students

American Indian students

Migrant students

Neglected, delinquent, or at-risk children and youth

Students with disabilities

Young children who need reading assistance

Bilingual Advisory Council (BAC)
Comprised of parents whose children are served by programs English Learners, this committee advises the district on programs funded by the State Bilingual Limited English Proficient Fund.

School Site Council (SSC)
SSC is a school based decision-making body that decides what to do with school improvement funds. This parent and staff committee decides what priorities are most important and then directs the sue of funds involved with direction from the written plan approved by the committee. In many schools the SSC representative is the voting member on the District Advisory Committee.

Parent University
A special project of the Bakersfield City School District, Parent University offers training and educational programs structured in such a way that lead to the granting completion certificates in a graduation setting. For many parents Parent University offers the satisfaction of completing a task that in the end helps them in their continued education of their children.

PTA or Parent Booster Clubs
Run by parents, PTA and Booster Clubs supporting parent involvement and work on behalf of all children and families in the Bakersfield City School District. PTA's and Booster Clubs help fund raise to supplement what schools or the districts cannot offer, such as fund raising for Camp KEEP; school/teacher/communities socials; special school projects or activities such as playground equipment; school track-chess or other uniforms; and more. School PTA and Booster clubs are also a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for parents, and a strong advocate for public education. The strong parental involvement from parents of children attending Cesar Chavez elementary was noted as a key-contributing factor to this school being awarded Distinguished school this past school year.

Superintendents Parent Advisory Committee
The Superintendent has a number of parent and community advisory groups that meet at varied times. Some such as the school parent advisory group are comprised of parents from each school, others such as community or budget advisory committees meet for specific topics or set times.

Being involved in your child's school offers an opportunity to take an active role in the complex, difficult and yet very rewarding task of bettering the environment of your school and community. Learn more about the school and districts responsibilities to ward's the education of your child. Find out how you can get involved by asking your school principle or by contacting the district office. This experience will help you in your efforts to provide the needed support at home.