The Parent Involvement Initiative

HDI SPDG Family-School Partnership Logo

Welcome:

The Parent Involvement Initiative is part of the Kentucky Department of Education’s State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG), funded by the Office of Special Education Programs and managed by the University of Kentucky. It is designed to promote stakeholder engagement in Kentucky Department of Education initiatives (e.g. State Performance Plan and State Systemic Improvement Plan).

What is happening with Parent Involvement?

RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS

  • Kentucky Guide to Special Education Due Process [PDF] was developed to provide school staff and other service providers with information regarding the special education process and services provided to students identified with disabilities. This guide can be used by school staff as a handy desk reference for procedural questions.
  • School personnel are also encouraged to use any of the resources available on this webpage as needs arise.
  • Suggested uses for Parent Involvement Materials:
    • New Staff Training- the Parent Handbook, Due Process Guide and the Fact Sheets can be used effectively with new teachers to provide information on the special education process. Additionally, the Parent Involvement Video Series can be used by schools and districts to provide staff training or refreshers, as needed.
    • Teachers can provide parents with the Handbook and Fact Sheets in preparation for ARC meetings or evaluations.
    • Surrogate Parent Training provided at the district level can be supplemented by use of the Parent Involvement Video Series and Fact Sheets.

Purpose and Goals of the Parent Involvement Project:

  • Help parents and other stakeholders increase their understanding of the SPDG
    Provide a liaison to work between the KY SPDG and community, school, parent and student groups statewide. Information is made available to increase stakeholder understanding of Kentucky Department of Education initiatives and how they impact students identified with disabilities.
  • Provide feedback to KDE leadership
    Provide parent and stakeholder feedback regarding SPDG initiatives and activities to KDE leadership. This provides a mechanism for stakeholder input into school improvement planning.
  • Provide activities designed to enhance parent involvement with the SPDG and SPP
    Disseminate information and training regarding parent involvement goals and objectives, resources and services including a parent handbook. Create opportunities to increase parents’ understanding of SPDG initiatives in order to engage with schools more effectively in the decision-making process regarding school improvement (SPP and SSIP).
  • Program evaluation
    Project coordinator along with SPDG evaluators, assess the needs of parents to evaluate the effectiveness of parent involvement programs. The analysis of annual surveys is used to identify parent needs and successful approaches to increase parent involvement.

Contact:

Susan Burgan, Parent Involvement Coordinator, susan.burgan@uky.edu