Ark. Code Ann. §§6-15-1701 through 6-15-1704 mandates all schools to create a Parental Involvement Plan. The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), along with partners, has provided various trainings within the state. To assist schools in enhancing parental involvement and preparing for the mandated professional development hours, ADE will be sponsoring the 2nd ANNUAL ARKANSAS PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT FORUM – STEPPING OUT OF THE BOX. A statewide two-day forum will be held September 7 - 8, 2005, at the DoubleTree Hotel and the entire Robinson Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Jim Grant, well-known educator and author of the book, "If You're Riding a Horse and it Dies. Get Off", will be the keynote speaker, as well as, presenting through the day September 7th. Johns Hopkins University, Center on School, Family, and Community Partnership will be presenting and sharing valuable research in parental involvement during the conference. Participants will be given the opportunity to participate in sessions that will assist in preparing school’s mandated two-hour professional development and three hours for administrators.
All school parental involvement facilitators, parent center coordinators, and administrators are encouraged to attend. Over fifty (50) concurrent sessions will be scheduled during the two days. Participants may select sessions focusing on best practices in elementary, middle school or high school, as well as ideas for involving parents during the summer, family nights, improving parent centers, and integrating parental involvement programs into the school day. In an effort to better serve the school districts of Arkansas, the following link contains a survey, which was conceived by the Administrative Training Committee of The Parental Involvement Module Creation Commission: http://www.quia.com/sv/55473.html. Participation in the study is greatly appreciated.
The registration fee of $75.00 will include all workshops/materials, continental breakfast, lunches, snacks, and a CD with the four (4) new training modules. A block of rooms has been reserved at the DoubleTree, as well as the Wyndham Hotel at a rate of $89.00 per night. To make reservations at the DoubleTree Hotel in Downtown Little Rock, call 1-800-937-2789. To make reservations at the Wyndham Hotel in Downtown North Little Rock, call 1-800-996-3426. When placing lodging reservations, please indicate the Parental Involvement Conference in order to receive the conference rate.
Advanced registration is required. A check or purchase order must accompany all registration forms submitted. Substitutions for registered attendees may be made without penalty. However, there will be no refunds for cancellations. To register, please complete the attached registration form and fax to 501-682-9026 or mail to:
Arkansas Department of Education
Grants Initiatives / Early Childhood Unit
Attn: Dee Cox
#4 State Capitol Mall, Room 402A
Little Rock, AR 72201
For more information, please contact Dee Cox, Program Manager, at 501-682-4379 at the Arkansas Department of Education or via email at dcox@arkedu.k12.ar.us.