Involvement Matters 

Hundreds of research studies show that when parents get involved, children do better in school. 

Major Benefits Research shows that when parents are involved in their children’s education, they are more likely to:
• earn better grades
• score higher on tests
• pass their classes
• attend school regularly
• have better social skills
• show improved behavior
• be more positive in their attitude toward school
• complete homework assignments
• graduate and continue their education

More is Better 

Parents can serve many different roles in the educational process:  teachers, advocates, volunteers, fundraisers, and boosters. And parents can even serve in decision-making and oversight roles for the school.  The more parents participate in a sustained way at each of these levels, the better for student achievement. At All Levels When parents get involved early in their children’s education, the results are more pronounced and long-lasting. Studies indicate that parent involvement in education has a positive effect at all grade levels: elementary, middle, and high school.

Students are less likely to:
• have to repeat a grade
• be suspended or expelled 

Dads Matter In both two-parent and father-only households where dads are involved in school, children are more likely to:
• succeed academically
• participate in extracurricular activities
• enjoy school 

ELAC Legal Task Reource

ELAC Member Requirements, Responsibilities, and Tasks

ELAC Requirements & Reponsibilities

Each California public school with 21 or more English learners must form an English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).

Responsibilities

The ELAC shall be responsible for the following tasks:

• Advising the principal and staff in the development of a site plan for English learners and submitting the plan to the School Site Council for consideration of inclusion in the School Plan for Student Achievement.

• Assisting in the development of the schoolwide needs assessment.

• Ways to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.

• Each ELAC shall have the opportunity to elect at least one member to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC). Districts with 31 or more ELACs may use a system of proportional or regional representation.

Composition Requirements

Parents or guardians of English learners shall constitute at least the same percentage of the ELAC membership as their children represent of the student body.

Elections

The parents or guardians of English learners shall elect the parent members of ELAC. Parents or guardians of English learners shall be provided the opportunity to vote in the election.

Training

ELAC members shall receive training materials and training which will assist them in carrying out their required advisory responsibilities. Training shall be planned in full consultation with committee members, and funds from appropriate resources may be used to meet the costs of providing the training to include costs associated with the attendance of members at training sessions.

Legal References

• California Education Code, sections 35147, 52176(b) and (c), 62002.5, and 64001(a)

• California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 11308

Task 4: Attendance - How can we best support students and parents to increase attendance?