Parent involvement in a child’s education is increasingly viewed as a cornerstone of academic success. In Stevenson PACT, parents and teachers collaborate on a regular basis and in novel ways that promote our central educational goals.
Developmental learning means that educational challenges are presented based on a child’s readiness, not on his or her age or grade. With Stevenson PACT parents aiding in the classrooms, teachers spend more time working with small groups, making it easier to assess and support each child.
In acknowledgement of individual learning styles, Stevenson PACT teachers and parents use a variety of teaching methods to engage all children. Material is frequently presented in an experiential, hands-on manner that allows children to gain knowledge through research and guided discovery. To achieve differentiated instruction and to allow small child-to-adult ratios, our classrooms may have several learning centers running simultaneously.
Stevenson PACT parents are encouraged to bring their own expertise into the classroom. Enrichment activities have included an extensive arts program, gardening, carpentry, electricity, dance and unique field trips.
A sense of community is naturally established in each classroom as teachers, parents and children regularly work together. We also strive to create a greater sense of community by holding family outings throughout the year. These activities, combined with school-wide events like family game night, help to build community at all levels.
"Research overwhelmingly indicates that parent involvement in children’s learning is positively related to achievement… Considerably greater achievement [is] noted when parent involvement is active—when parents attend and actively support school activities and when they help out in classrooms or on field trips, and so on."
From "Parent Involvement in Education”Â
by Kathleen Cotton and Karen Reed Wikelund
Stevenson PACT's parent participation models depends on full participation from all families. It is expected that parents from all families volunteer 2 hours per week, per child, in order to allow for small group instruction and to support the teachers and all students at the school.