SB 586 - This act states that the State Board of Education shall, in consultation with the Boards of Education of school districts, educational personnel, and other interested parties, adopt a policy by December 1, 2003, which encourages effective involvement by parents and families in support of their children and the education of their children.

The act sets out the following elements and goals for the development of the policy adopted by the State Board:

- Promotion of regular, two-way, meaningful communication between home and school;

- Promotion and support of responsible parenting;

- Recognition of the fact that parents and families play an integral role in assisting their children to learn;

- Promotion of a safe and open atmosphere for parents and families to visit the school that their children attend and active solicitation of parental and familial support and assistance for school programs;

- Inclusion of parents as full partners in decisions affecting their children and families; and

- Availability of community resources to strengthen and promote school programs, family practices and the achievement of pupils.

Further, the act states that the Board of Education of each school district shall, in consultation with the state board, educational personnel, and other interested parties, adopt policies no later than March 1, 2004 which encourage effective involvement by parents and families in support of their children and the education of their children. Such policies must be consistent with the policy adopted by the State Board.
DONALD THALHUBER