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Course Description
From the first Open House to homework to classroom behavior to intervention and referral, this course provides teachers with proven ways to get and keep parent support throughout the school year. Utilizing readings and discussions from a research-based but highly readable text, participants will learn and apply new skills and approaches to problems in winning ongoing cooperation from the parents of their most challenging students.
This course relies heavily on the discovery approach, one in which participants engage in a collaborative exploration of the research and approaches presented, including experiences where they apply new skills and then reflect on their results. The underlying assumption is that the participants are experienced educators who are willing to stretch themselves by trying out new approaches in a series of assigned applications involving planning, action, assessment, and further goal-setting. As a result, they will increase their awareness, their willingness to risk and change, their skill level, and their ability to make a difference as educators.
This online course consists of six modules taught over a six week period. Each module consists of a reading and writing assignment, as well as an application assignment. Participants will post assignments weekly and dialogue with colleagues regarding assignments and learning experiences. They will also communicate personally each week with their instructor via e-mail. Resources will be suggested for further study as appropriate. Each module requires approximately five hours to complete.
At the completion of the course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion recommending 30 inservice points or professional development credits be awarded by the participant's school district. It is up to participants to get prior approval from their district to take this course for professional development credit.
Skills, Hardware, and Software Requirements
Students are expected to have a very basic knowledge of how to use an Internet browser such as Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or America Online (AOL). Students must be familiar with e-mail and have an active e-mail account and Internet access. In addition, students must possess basic word processing skills.
Course Readings
The required textbook for this course is Building Successful Partnerships by the National Educational Service. The textbook and course materials will be provided for all students. In addition, online readings will be assigned during the course to enhance learning. These readings will be presented as annotated Web sites within the course content.
Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction and Overview
Objectives: Participants will introduce themselves to others; identify and discuss the greatest frustrations parents and teachers face in working together; set personal goals and objectives; understand course requirements and expectations; and become familiar with the course navigation system.
Content:
Module 2: The First Parent Contact
Objectives: Identify the most critical elements for parent contacts early in the school year; share successful and recommended practices; plan an inviting presentation for "back to school night;" design a positive "first call" to targeted parents.
Content:
Culminating Assignment: Students will read Chapters 1 and 8 in the textbook and post assignments, "Back-to School Night" and "Targeted Phone Contact" in the Forum. Students will read and comment on their colleagues' postings.
Module 3: Supportive Parent Involvement
Objectives: Students will understand ways in which parental involvement builds successful students and schools; identify methods of involving parents; brainstorm ways to connect with hard-to-reach parents; plan and carry out a positive contact with a hard-to-reach or culturally different parent.
Content:
Culminating Assignment: Students will read Chapters 3 and 4 in the textbook and post the assignment, "Reaching Out to Parents" in the Forum. Students will read and comment on their colleagues' postings.
Module 4: The "Difficult" Parent Conference
Objectives: Students will increase their awareness of approaches that de-escalate or escalate conflict; learn skills for building understanding, seeking common ground, and gaining cooperation; conduct a conference applying effective communication techniques.
Content:
Culminating Assignment: Students will read Chapter 2 in the textbook and post their results and reflections from the assignment, "Win-Win Conference" in the Forum. Students will read and comment on their colleagues' postings.
Module 5: Interventions & Documentation
Objectives: Students will define behavior, anecdotal, intervention; discuss methods of documentation; identify importance and methods for involving parents in the process; plan and implement an intervention with parent and student involvement.
Content:
Culminating Assignment: Students will read Chapter 6 in the textbook and post their assignment, "Beginning an Intervention" in the Forum. Students will read and comment on their colleagues' postings.
Module 6: The Referral & Child Study Team
Objectives: Students will understand the referral process; appreciate the role of the team in arriving at decisions for further assistance; consider the parent's needs for information and reassurance; plan parent-friendly explanations of learning differences and supporting information.
Content:
Culminating Assignment: Students will read Chapter 9 in the textbook and post their results from the assignment, "Clear and Encouraging Explanations" in the Forum. Students will read and respond to their colleagues' postings. Students will also complete the Course Evaluation and post any "Last Messages for Group" in the Forum. In addition, participants will complete an assignment in which they assess their current level of skills in the areas presented and identify new personal goals and strategies for their ongoing professional development.
Grading Criteria
This course is offered on a pass/fail basis. Students are expected to complete each assignment by the specified due date. Students are expected to participate in each Forum and dialogue with their colleagues. Students that meet these requirements will pass this course.
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