Creating Diversity In Our Parental Engagement Strategies

Furrer & Skinner (2002) acknowledged parental engagement has an important role in the motivation of student academic performance and relationship with their teachers. According to researchers parental involvement “is a common vehicle for bringing teachers and parents together in schools” (Pushor, 2007, p.2). To that end, Forest Of The Rain Productions is hosting a one day parental engagement conference The purpose of the 2010 “Creating Diversity In Our Parental Engagement Strategies” is to support the efforts of parents, communities and schools to create partnerships to impact children learning and academic achievement.

During this remarkable one day conference, seminal researchers and experts in community outreach, public education, and family involvement will present best practices, strategies and evidence based method for developing and improving parental engagement programs. Conference topics are: (a) Effective Strategies to Engage Hispanic Families; (b) National Parental Engagement Policies and Best Practices; (c) How to Effectively Engage Military Families; (d) Parental Engagement: A Superintendent’s Perspective; (e) The Importance of Parent, Community and School Partnerships; (f) Parental Engagement at The High School Level; and (g) The Benefits of Parental Engagement.

Please make plans to attend!

Name: “Creating Diversity In Our Parental Engagement Strategies”

Date: October 8, 2010

Time: 8am-4:30pm

Location: Comfort Suites Hotel, Laurel, Maryland

Registration Deadline: September 27, 2010

Cost: $65.00 per person

Who Should Attend: School Administrators, Parents, Teachers, Community Stakeholders, PTA members and all who support the partnership between homes and schools.

Register online at "Creating Diversity In Our Parental Engagement Strategies"

Contact Information: Forest Of The Rain Productions
P.O. Box 326
Savage, Maryland 20763
240.593.3813
www.forestoftherain.net
forestoftherain@gmail.com

An exclusive interview with Mr. Michael Jackson candidate for County Executive in Prince George's County, Maryland

An exclusive interview with Mr. Michael Jackson is a candidate for County Executive in Prince George's County, Maryland can heard at on Parents and PGCPS: An EduSocial Network for the engaged parent and dedicated educator. Mr. Michael Jackson will appear on the eCommunity Affairs. The show will air on August 2, 2010. To join the conversation visit Parents and PGCPS

Michael Jackson is currently serving his second consecutive four-year term as Sheriff of Prince George’s County.A former marine reservist, grounded in his religious faith as a life-long member of Mount Calvary Catholic Church, a leader who is determined to use his skills and executive leadership in service to the people, Michael Jackson, 45, is the man to take Prince George’s County from potential to abundant prosperity for all.

Michael Jackson started life on a farm in Upper Marlboro, moved to Maryland Gardens as a youngster, went to Marlboro Elementary School, and then top-tested into rigorous, academically-recognized Crossland High School.

At each stage of his career and motivated by purpose before self, he added to his educational credentials, graduating from The Johns Hopkins University with a Masters Degree in Management Science. Michael Jackson both possesses and demonstrates the management and leadership skills needed to serve Prince George’s County.

Michael knows that great work is not a solo activity. And, change begins with the “Man in the Mirror.”With your vote, Michael Jackson will make a change in Prince George’s County so that it can be all that it can be.

Michael resides in Brandywine, Maryland with his wife Kim, and they have one adult son, Aaron, and two grandchildren.

Ms. Patricia J. Fletcher of the Prince George's County Board of Education Talks About The Importance Of Parental Engagement

An exclusive interview with Ms. Patricia J. Fletcher of the Prince George's County Board Education can heard on The Journey Begins Internet Radio for the engaged parent and dedicated educator. Ms. Fletcher will appear on the Educational Gateway, a weekly broadcast hosted by Michael Robinson. The show will air on July 21, 2o1o. To join the conversation, follow the link below.

The Journey Begins, Internet Radio for the Engage Parent and Dedicated Educator!

BIO

A 30-year resident of Prince George's County, Patricia J. Fletcher was elected on November 7, 2006, to a four-year term on the Prince George's County Board of Education to represent the residents of School Board District 3. She has two adult children who were educated in the Prince George's County Public Schools; one is a teacher in the public school system, and the other is a Cosmetology Instructor at a private school. Ms. Fletcher also has four grandchildren who are enrolled in the Prince George's County Public Schools.

A community activist for many years, Ms. Fletcher is President of the Kentland/Columbia Park Boy's and Girl's Club; Vice President of the G. James Gholson Middle School PTA; Past President of the Forestville High School and John Carroll Elementary School PTAs; Past-President of AFSCME Local 2095 and Village Green Mutual Homes, Inc.; Member of the Prince George's Multicultural Alliance; and serves on Youth and Political Committees.

Ms. Fletcher has worked for 26 years as a District of Columbia Mental Health Counselor and Forensic Psych Technician. She worked for 5 years as Staff Representative and Chief Negotiator for Arbitration, Mediation, and Grievances with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees - Council 67.

Ms. Fletcher currently serves as the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Coordinator with the Prince George's County Department of Family Services (LTGF).

Prince George's County Administrators Focus on Student Achievement

Administrators from Prince George’s County Public Schools will gather together June 28-30, 2010 at Northwestern High School for the annual Summer Leadership Conference. Focusing on the message of this year’s conference – Framing the Future: Committing to Results – principals and assistant principals will attend workshops on instructional strategies, interventions, and system initiatives.

The three-day conference will open on June 28 with greetings from the Board of Education Chair Verjeana M. Jacobs, Esq., and remarks from School Superintendent Dr. William R. Hite, Jr. who will unveil the school district’s five new goals for the upcoming school year. Charlotte Danielson will serve as this year’s guest speaker.

Danielson is the creator of the Framework for Teaching model which PGCPS currently uses for its work with teacher effectiveness.

An Interview with Dr. Ernest McNealy, President of Stillman College

The Journey Begins, Internet Radio for the engaged parent and dedicated educator will air an exclusive interview with Dr. Ernest McNealy, President of Stillman College. Dr. McNealy sat down with Ms. Michel S. Davis-Robinson on the set of the iCollege Tour Series to discuss the role of small colleges and how they are remaining vital in the competitive world of postsecondary education.

Dr. Ernest McNealey, Stillman College’s fifth president, is an educational leader, artist, and advocate for the common good. Dr. McNealey’s academic appointments have been marked by increasing levels of responsibility. He began as an instructor of art at a four-year college and, prior to assuming the Stillman presidency, had advanced to a Deanship at a Carnegie I research institution.

Dr. McNealey has been at the forefront of educational initiatives, serving in key leadership roles. Among his professional activities has been the following: Member, APCURM Board of Directors (Presently); Member, NCAA D-II Presidents Council (Presently); Member, Board for the HBCU Capital Financing Program (2006 - 2009); Member, Southern Education Foundation HBCU Advisory Board (Presently); President, Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (2003-2004); Treasurer, Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (2004- 2005); Member, Educational Testing Service – HBCUs Advisory Board (2002 – Present); Chairman (Presently), Member of the Board, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (2002-2008); Member, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Program Advisory Committee (Presently); Member, Paul R. Jones Collection Advisory Board (Presently); Member of the Board, United Negro College Fund (2002-2004); Commissioner, Southern Association for Colleges and Schools (2001-2006); Executive Council, SACS/COC (2005 - 2006); Director, National Bank of Commerce, Tuscaloosa, Al. (1997-2005); Member, Board of Directors, Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra (1998-2003); Member, Governor’s Office of Employee Relations, SUNY Management Negotiating Team with the United University Professions Union (1995-97); and Executive Editor, The Journal of Undergraduate Research, The State University of New York at Stony Brook (1994-97). Presently, he is active in the areas of planning, assessment, and accreditation.

Dr. McNealey was also an award-winning artist, having garnered honors in juried exhibitions, including an award from Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. He has completed commissions from major corporations, including Anheuser-Busch and R.J. Reynolds, and rendered numerous designs for a variety of civic and social associations.

Dr. McNealey holds a Ph.D. from Ohio State University, a master’s from Indiana University, a Bachelor’s from Alabama State University, and a certificate on the Academic Presidency from Harvard University. He is a member and elder at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and a founding member of 100 Black Men of West Alabama.

An Exclusive Interview With Dr. Terrance E. Suarez, president of Mountain Empire Community College

Dr. Terrance E. Suarez will appear on The Journey Begins Internet Radio for the engaged parent and dedicated educator to discuss the issue of Remedial Education and some of the innovative approaches Mountain Empire Community College has taken to support the academic achievement of students enrolled in remedial education courses.

Dr. Terrance E. Suarez became president of Mountain Empire Community College on January 2, 2002.

Dr. Suarez has 37 years of experience in the Virginia Community College System, beginning as a founding faculty member at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College where he taught chemistry. In 1979, Dr. Suarez moved to Wytheville Community College and served as Division Chair of Allied Health and Science Programs. Later he served as Dean of Instruction and Student Services. He also served as Acting President during the fall term of 1999.

Dr. Suarez holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s degree from Florida Presbyterian College (now Eckerd College) in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Since moving to Big Stone Gap, Virginia and Mountain Empire Community College, he has been active in economic development efforts and civic groups in the region. In addition to serving on the Board of the Virginia Economic Bridge, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Wise County Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Workforce Network, the Cove Ridge Center Foundation, Pro-Art, Lonesome Pine Arts & Crafts, the Southwest Virginia MTC, Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital, Southwest Virginia Workforce Investment Board and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science.

He is also active in the Kiwanis Club of Big Stone Gap, the Lee County Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Coalfield Coalition, and many other local and regional organizations. Dr. Suarez was also presented the Distinguished Service Award from the Wytheville Kiwanis Club.

As president of Mountain Empire Community College, one of Dr. Suarez’s priorities has been to work with area school systems to improve existing partnerships and develop joint projects that address the changing needs of students in the region.

He plans to retire on June 30, 2010.

Budget Woes Impact Higher Education

America’s financial climate has resulted in many community colleges exploring new ways to perform the business of education. The fiscal challenges confronting 2-year colleges have required them to examine their financial structure. As a result of their assessment, community colleges have discovered revenue challenges exist. These challenges are significant areas of concern for community college leadership. For many these fiscal challenges’ represent a threat to the quality of services to students. To prevent major service reductions and changes, institutions have considered implementing cost saving strategies aimed at sustaining high level programs designed to continue student engagement while offering affordable services.

Many of the actions and recommendations suggested by community colleges to reduce expenditures have met with support from State legislature, primarily because states are expecting a serve budget shortfall (Gregg 2009). For example, according to Dulper (2009) the Washington State policymakers will cut the education budget by $500 million, a $158 million over the first proposal released in December. The revised budget has caused community colleges to scramble in an effort to find ways to make reductions and ensuring access.

An Educational Info Byte: The Underprepared Workforce

Deficits in basic skills cost businesses, colleges and underprepared high school graduates up to $16 billion annually in lost productivity and remedial costs (Capriccioso, 2005). Without authentic open access to an education that is ensured through affordable tuitions, adequate financial aid and flexible course scheduling and delivery, the dream of millions of Americans will never be realized and the competitiveness of America in the market place will continue to erode.

Community College and The For-Profit Sector

Have community colleges been oblivious to the impact and threat presented by the presence of the for-profit sector of higher education, despite their continued success, popularity and profit making abilities? Lee and Merisotis (1990) and Armstrong (2001) asserted that proprietary schools have been overlooked by traditional education researchers. While Kinser (2006) claims literature on postsecondary student affairs has ignored the student services aspects of the for-profit sector. Simply stated there is not much still known about this segment of postsecondary education in America.