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 2007 – Campuses select students for the invitation and assembles the bags.
• January/February 2008 – 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 2008 – Campuses invite more students to participate in the program if needed.
• April 2008 – Campuses invite more students to participate in the program if needed.
• May 2008 – Campuses send parent survey home with participating students for feedback on the “Success Bags”.
• July 2008 – 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) 442-4200

Birmingham Elementary            (972) 442-6512

Cox Elementary                        (972) 429-4024

Dodd Elementary                      (972) 442-5715

Groves Elementary                    (972) 429-4715

Hartman Elementary                 (972) 442-3549

Tibbals Elementary                    (972) 429-2520

Davis Intermediate                    (972) 429-9048

Harrison Intermediate                (972) 442-0406

Burnett Jr. High                        (972) 442-5476

Cooper Jr. High                        (972) 941-9072

McMillan Jr. High                     (972) 442-3257