October Proclaimed as Parent Involvement Month Statewide

In collaboration with the Oklahoma Parent Information and Resource Center (OK PIRC) and the Oklahoma Congress of Parents and Teachers (OK PTA), Governor Brad Henry issued a proclamation declaring October as Parent Involvement Month for the state of Oklahoma.

With this proclamation, the state legislature acknowledges that parental involvement, not income or social status, is the most accurate predictor of student achievement in school. The proclamation, issued on October 1, 2008, states that families can create a home environment that encourages learning; can communicate high yet reasonable expectations for their children?s achievement and future careers; and become involved in their children?s education and the community.

The OK PIRC and OK PTA will be distributing Parent Involvement Calendars and Parent Involvement Checklists to schools statewide to encourage parents to get involved with their child?s school. The calendar and checklist are also available at the OK PIRC website, www.okpirc.org. OK PIRC is a statewide technical assistance and training center whose mission is to build partnerships between schools and families to increase student achievement and parental engagement, birth to high school. OK PIRC is available to assist families with ideas for getting more involved in the education and development of young students, and to train educators on how to increase parental involvement in their schools. For more information about parent involvement, technical assistance and support, please contact the OK PIRC at (405) 478-4078, www.okpirc.org or the OK PTA at (405)681-0750.