Family Support in NYS PBIS
Family Involvement Type 5
Decision Making
Participation and Leadership
PTA/PTO membership, participation, leadership, representation
Advisory councils, school improvement teams
Title 1 councils, school-site management teams, other committees
Independent school advisory groups
Challenges For Schools
Include parent leaders from all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and other groups in the school
Offer training for parent leaders to develop leadership skills
Include student representatives along with parents in decision making
Redefinitions
“Decision making” means a process of partnership to share views and take action toward shared goals for school improvement and student success, not a power struggle.
Expected Outcomes
Students:
Awareness of representation of families in school decisions
Understanding that student rights are protected
Specific benefits linked to policies enacted by parent organizations and by experienced students
Primary Care Giver/Parent/Guardian:
Input into policies that affect child’s education
Feeling of ownership of school
Awareness of parents’ voices in school decisions
Shared experiences and connections with other families
Awareness of school district, and state policies
Teachers:
Awareness of parent perspectives as a factor in policy development and decisions
View of equal status of family representatives on committees and in leadership roles
Sample Practices
Active PTA/PTO, SEPTA, Family Support (FSO’s) or other family driven organizations, advisory councils, or committees (e.g. curriculum, safety, personnel) for family leadership and participation
Independent advocacy groups to lobby and work for school reform and improvements
District-level councils and committees for family and community involvement
Information on school or local elections for school representatives
Networks to link all families with family representatives
Focus groups to solicit family perspective