WHEREAS, A critical dimension of effective schooling is parental involvement; and

WHEREAS, Research has shown conclusively that parent involvement in a child’s education at home improves pupil achievement, and when a parent is involved at school, his or her child goes farther in school; and

WHEREAS, Regardless of family income or background, pupils with involved parents are more likely to have higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school; and

WHEREAS, The most accurate predictors of pupil achievement in school are not family income or social status but the extent to which the family creates a home environment that encourages learning, communicates high yet reasonable expectations for the child’s achievement, and becomes involved in the child’s education at school; and

WHEREAS, When a parent is involved in school, the performance of all children at school, not just the parent’s child, tends to improve, and the more comprehensive and well planned the partnership between school and home, the higher the pupil achievement; and

WHEREAS, California’s school funding system, the Local Control Funding Formula, requires all school districts to involve parents in planning, decision making, and developing and reviewing local control and accountability plans; and

WHEREAS, The State Board of Education recognizes that a child’s education is a responsibility shared by school and family during the entire period the child spends in school, and it is important that school districts and schools, in collaboration with parents, teachers, pupils, and school administrators, establish and develop efforts that enhance parent involvement and reflect the needs of pupils and families in the communities in which they serve; and

WHEREAS, Parent involvement is fundamental to a healthy system of public education and parent involvement roles require a statewide effort that has the support and recognition of all; now, therefore, be it