PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT CONTRACTS - H.B. 4630 (H-1): COMMITTEE SUMMARY



House Bill 4630 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)

Sponsor: Representative Wayne Kuipers

House Committee: Education

Senate Committee: Education


Date Completed: 5-29-01


CONTENT


The bill would amend the Revised School Code to:


-- Encourage school districts to develop and implement parental involvement contracts with parents of pupils.

-- Specify that the contracts should be voluntary and designed to encourage and facilitate a parent's involvement in his or her child's education.

-- Require the Department of Education, within 90 days after the bill took effect, to develop and make available to school districts a model parental involvement contract that could be used for these purposes.

-- Require the model contract to address certain activities of a pupil's parent or guardian, a pupil, and a teacher.


The model parental involvement contract would have to establish a learning partnership between parent, teacher, and pupil. The model contract would have to address at least all of the following:


-- That the pupil's parent or guardian would do all of the following: review homework assignments and offer assistance when needed; ensure that the pupil got 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.

-- That the pupil would do all of the following: participate in class discussions and complete assignments in a manner that was accurate, neat, and timely; come to school each day and be on time; pay attention in class and complete assigned lessons; obey the rules and codes of conduct set for the classroom; and, respect teachers, school administrators, and other pupils at all times by not antagonizing, intimidating, or threatening them.

-- That the teacher would do all of the following: set high standards for quality instruction that promoted development of grade-appropriate academic skills; keep accurate attendance records and inform the parent or guardian promptly if an attendance problem started 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.


In addition, the bill specifies that the contract should include a way for the pupil's parent or guardian to explain any obstacles that prevented him or her from complying with the contract. If a contract included this explanation, school officials would have to consider possible resources to help overcome the obstacles identified by the parent or guardian.


Proposed MCL 380.1294 - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim

FISCAL IMPACT


There would be minimal State costs in the form of increased costs to the Department of Education for developing and making available a model parental involvement contract as described in the legislation.


- Fiscal Analyst: K. Summers-CotyS0102\s4630sa

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.