Federal committee hears about Kentucky parent leaders' work

Kentucky's Missing Piece report on parent engagement got new attention recently, as the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions learned that:

Kentucky is the first state to adopt and codify state standards on family and community engagement. Developed by the Commissioner’s Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) these state standards for family engagement align with the state’s academic standards, and describe what practice looks like at the novice, apprentice, proficient and distinguished levels. (National PTA drew on these standards to develop their national standards.) Schools and districts in Kentucky use these standards to guide their school improvement plans and link parent involvement strategies to student achievement. When schools fail to improve student test scores two years in a row, they undergo a scholastic audit performed by a team appointed by the state education agency. The audit protocol includes a review of school practices to engage families in improving student achievement, based on the state standards. 

That's from a great April 22nd statement to the committee from Anne T. Henderson of the Annenberg Institute for School Reform, speaking at hearings on reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Check out the complete PDF statement here. (Hat tip to Cindy Baumert)