What’s the Best Way to Invest in Your Child’s Education? Be Educated About Education!
The more you know about the way your child is educated in U-46 the more power you have to:
ask questions, influence decision-making and assist your children in their academic success!
So, here’s your lesson plan:
1. GET ONLINE.
A) District Website: Visit www.u-46.org. It includes district and school news; resources, policies and information on student learning; district improvement initiatives; and more. Check it once a week.
B) Citizens’ Advisory Council: www.u46cac.org. This organization is made up of parents like you who advise the Board of Education. Keep up-to-date on what they are recommending for your kids. Check it 1-2 times per month.
C) Illinois State Board of Education. www.isbe.state.il.us. Lots of information on funding, standards, policies and links to other helpful resources. Check it monthly to quarterly.
2. GET ACQUAINTED.
A) Know who your district administrators and the Board of Education members are. They are the district decision-makers, so it’s important to know what they do. You can meet them in a casual environment at monthly CAC meetings.
B) Meet your school staff and parent leaders. Take advantage of every opportunity to find out what the school is doing to improve the education of your child and how you can influence the process, including parent teacher meetings and school events.
3. GET INFORMED.
A) Subscribe to CAC Vice Chair Gary Percy’s education email list. Email Gary at wishbone59@comcast.net to be included on emails from leading educational websites and organizations; be sure to put “CAC Email List” in the subject line.
B) Subscribe to the District weekly email alert. Sign-up at www.u-46.org (Use the button on right side of the home page to Sign Up for Weekly Emails). It will keep you in the loop on the “Things You Should Know.”
C) Familiarize yourself with state standards and testing, your School Improvement Plan (SIP) and the District Improvement Plan (DIP), No Child Left Behind and education funding, for starters. What do they mean, how do they work, how does it affect you and your child? (See above websites.)
We know time is a prized commodity, but a few minutes each week spent “staying in the loop”
will pay dividends for you and your child’s education!
Citizens’ Advisory Council, Media Communications Committee, 10/09
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