Information for Parents

For assistance, please contact Latisha Baker, Parent Liaison at (510) 670-4245.

California High School Exit Exam (CDE)

Board Policy 6020 (Parent Involvement)

A. The County Board recognizes that parents/guardians are their children's first and most influential teachers and that continued parental involvement in the education of children contributes greatly to student achievement and conduct. Parents/guardians can directly affect academic success by reinforcing their children's motivation and commitment to education.

B. Teachers and parents/guardians can better understand and meet student needs if they work together. All of our schools have a duty to communicate frequently with the home and to help parents/guardians develop skills and family management techniques which support classroom learning. Administrators and teachers should keep parents/guardians well informed about school expectations and tell them when and how they can assist their children in support of classroom learning activities. The County Board encourages staff training in effective communication with the home.

C. The County Board encourages parents/guardians to serve as volunteers in the schools and to attend student performances and school meetings.

Supplemental Education Services (SES)

We are able to facilitate after-school tutoring services for students who need additional academic help.  Please contact Ms. Toni Adams at vtoni@acoe.org or 510-670-7747 for more information about supplemental SES.

What Is the County Office of Education Doing to Improve Student Achievement?

The Alameda County Office of Education is working to improve curriculum, instruction, and student performance at all sites. Listed here are some of the steps we have taken:

• We have launched a new individualized reading program, Reading Horizons, to help students who are not at grade level in English-language arts and reading.
• We have started a new math program to help students who are not at grade level in mathematics.
• All instructional staff are training in new ways to help students who are not achieving at grade level.
• Students most in need of help can receive after-school SES tutoring in reading and mathematics.

Supplementary State and Federal Funding for Low Income Student Populations

Our county office of education receives funding from many sources, one of which is Title I, Part A, a grant from the federal government. As a condition for receiving these funds, NCLB requires all states to create academic standards that identify what a child should know and be able to do at each grade level in English-language arts and mathematics. Schools test students each year to determine if they are proficient in these subjects. Each school is reviewed annually to determine if students at that school are making adequate yearly progress (AYP) based upon several factors including:

• California’s own accountability measurement of progress, the Academic Performance Index
• The percentage of students scoring at the “proficient” or “advanced” level on the California
  Standards Tests for English-language arts and Mathematics
• The percentage of students participating in those tests
• For high schools, the graduation rate

How Can Parents and Guardians Help to Improve Student Achievement?

You can help to improve student achievement by becoming involved. Here are some things you can do:

• Learn more about NCLB requirements at California Department of Education Web sites: http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/sw/t1/titleparta.asp  http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/sw/t1/titleIpf.asp
• Attend School Site Council meetings to advise on the school plan. The school plan should address the issues that caused the school to be identified for Program Improvement.
• Participate in activities that encourage parents to get involved at your school. Research shows that strong parental involvement leads to student success at school.