PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT CONTRACTS

House Bill 4630

Sponsor: Rep. Wayne Kuipers

Committee: Education

Complete to 4-19-01

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4630 AS INTRODUCED 4-19-01

House Bill 4630 would amend the Revised School Code to encourage school districts to develop and implement parental involvement contracts with parents of students. The contracts would be voluntary and designed to encourage and facilitate a parent's involvement in his or her child's education. The bill also would require the Department of Education to develop and make available to school districts a model parental involvement contract, within 90 days after the effective date of the bill.

Under the bill, the model parental involvement contract would establish a learning partnership between parent, teacher, and student. To that end, the contract would be required to address responsibilities for parents, pupils, and teachers. In particular, the bill specifies that the pupil's parent or guardian would agree to do all of the following:

·review homework assignments and offer assistance when needed;

·ensure that the pupil gets to school each day, on time and ready to learn;

·demonstrate interest in the pupil's well-being by attending school functions and supporting the pupil's school activities; and

·make every effort to attend parent-teacher conferences.

Further, the bill specifies that the pupil would agree to do all of the following:

·participate in class discussions and complete assignments in a manner that is accurate, neat, and timely;

·come to school each school day and be on time;

·pay attention in class and complete assigned lessons; and

·obey the rules and codes of conduct set for the classroom.

Finally, the bill specifies that the teacher would agree to do all of the following:

·set high standards for quality instruction that promote development of grade-appropriate academic skills;

·keep accurate attendance records and inform the parent or guardian promptly if an attendance problem starts to develop;

·teach pupils how to study and review basic concepts taught in class; and

·maintain a welcome atmosphere and scheduling flexibility toward parent or guardian visits and participation.

MCL 380.1294

Analyst: J. Hunault

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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.