Resources

"No Child Left Behind" Parents' Toolkit

The No Child Left Behind legislation gives public school parents new opportunities to participate in improving their schools and new options for their children. The Pittsburgh Council on Public Education (PCPE) has produced a very helpful "toolkit" on No Child Left Behind for parents in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. The following are .pdf files of the Toolkit. You will need Adobe Acrobat to open them.
NOTE: The NCLB Parents’ Toolkit was published in 2004. Much of the information applies to the 2005/06 school year and beyond, but some things have changed. Click here to read this Word Document outlining the changes.

• Introduction - Parent to Parent
• An overview of NCLB in Pennsylvania: A brief description of the key elements of NCLB as they are outlined in federal law and as they are being implemented in Pennsylvania.
• PSSA Testing Fact Sheet: Parent-focused information about the PSSA.
• Involvement - What You Can Do: Specific actions parents can take to contribute to school improvement, with a list of websites that have school information.
• What to Look for in Your Child's Classroom - Elementary: A guide for classroom visits and information about the District's goals for teaching and learning.
• What to Look for in Your Child's Classroom - Middle: A guide for classroom visits and information about the District's goals for teaching and learning.
• What to Look for in Your Child's Classroom - High School: A guide for classroom visits and information about the District's goals for teaching and learning.
• School Choice Fact Sheet: Basic information about NCLB school choice, with the Pittsburgh District's procedures for parents who choose to transfer their children.
• School Choice Checklist: For parents who are considering transferring their children under NCLB guidelines or anyone who is selecting a school.
• Tutoring Fact Sheet: Basic information about free tutoring under NCLB, including the responsibilities of school districts and tutoring providers to participating children and their parents.
• Tutoring Provider Checklist: For parents whose children are eligible for tutoring under NCLB guidelines or anyone who is selecting a tutoring service.
• State Approved Tutoring Providers: A list with full contact information.

Strengthening Families, Strengthening Schools Toolkit

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has just made its Strengthening Families, Strengthening Schools Toolkit available on-line. It is a collection of resources for schools, families and communities. The Toolkit includes research and best practices from schools and community resources; checklists and printer-ready materials; links to websites and resources for families who want to get more involved in their children's schools.

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