Parents As Teachers Program

Wylie ISD believes a true partnership between parents and school will impact student achievement. Research indicates that the most accurate predictor of a student’s achievement in school is not income or social status, but the extent to which that student’s family is able to create a home environment that encourages learning, express high expectations (but not unrealistic) for their children’s achievement and future careers, and become involved in their children’s education at school and in the community. With this knowledge, the curriculum and instruction department launches the third annual Parents as Teachers (PAT) Program for parents and students in grades one through seven. Based on last year’s results and parent surveys, the program will have a little different look this year. At the conclusion of this year’s program, student achievement on TAKS will be measured and parent survey information will be used to assess the effectiveness of the program with recommendations for 2008-09 school year.

  PAT Program Overview

The goal of the program is to partner with parents in the education of their child in a joint venture with the school to provide meaningful and engaging activities for children to do at home.

·         Parents and their child are invited by their home campus to volunteer and participate in the PAT program.

·         Parents and their child are given a “Success Bag” to take home and use at home.

·         Parents will be asked to fill out a quick survey at the end of the school year about the level of engagement of their child with each activity.

·         Participation in the program includes home activities using the “Success Bag”, communication between the school and parent, and a quick survey about the program activities.

·         Campuses select and invite student based on the child’s grade level performance on the proficiency of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).

·         Campuses provide opportunities for parents to pick up the “Success Bags” and communicate on how to utilize the bags at home.

 

The PAT program is funded through district and state revenues.

 

What is a “Success Bag”?

The focus of all activities in the “Success Bag” is on mathematical concepts and processes with the integration of reading.  Grades K-2 students will engage in reading and math activities.  Grades 3-7 students will engage in mathematical reasoning and problem solving.  So what is in the bag?

Grades 1-2

        Alphabet/Phonics

        Flashcards: Addition/Subtraction

        Telling Time

        Counting Money

        Addition/Subtraction Games

        Sight Vocabulary

        Comprehension/Fluency Activities

Grades 3-7

        Elapsed Time Activities

        Working with Fractions

        Flashcards: Multiplication/Division

        Problem Solving Games

        Logic Activities

        Reasoning

        Comprehension/Fluency Activities

 

TIMELINE

The PAT program begins in January of each school term. Each campus has a scheduled parent meeting to provide an opportunity for parents to communicate with the school and to volunteer to participate in the program.

·         December – Campuses select students for the invitation and assembles the bags.

·         January/February – Campuses host parent meetings and bags are sent home.

·         After each TAKS administration – Campuses record the results of the TAKS test for the students enrolled in the program.

·         March – Campuses invite more students to participate in the program if needed.

·         April – Campuses invite more students to participate in the program if needed.

·         May – Campuses send parent survey home with participating students for feedback on the “Success Bags”.

·         July – Campuses review the data for all students who participated in the program and submit the data/evaluation to the curriculum department.

PAT Contacts

Curriculum Department              (972) 429-3037

Akin Elementary                       (972) 429-3400

Birmingham Elementary             (972) 429-3420

Cox Elementary                         (972) 429-2500

Dodd Elementary                       (972) 429-3440

Groves Elementary                     (972) 429-3460

Hartman Elementary                  (972) 429-3480

Tibbals Elementary                    (972) 429-2520

Whitt Elementary                       (972) 429-2560

Davis Intermediate                      (972) 429-3325

Harrison Intermediate                  (972) 429-3300

Burnett Jr. High                          (972) 429-3200

Cooper Jr. High                          (972) 941-9072

McMillan Jr. High                       (972) 492-3225