A new guide advising the parents of children enrolled in Chapter 1 programs of their rights and responsibilities in program development has been released by the Center for the Law and Education, a nonprofit group based in Cambridge, Mass.
The booklet, written by Paul Weckstein, a lawyer for the center, details the legal provisions requiring such parental involvement and suggests ways to facilitate it.
Chapter 1 provides compensatory-education services to nearly 5 million poor and disadvantaged students. By law, school officials must meet with parents at least once a year to discuss programs funded under Chapter 1.
District authorities are also required to draft written policies that ensure parents a voice in the development of compensatory-education programs and that guarantee them the right to review curricula, textbooks, and other program materials.
“All too often, however, the parent involvement component is not as strong or effective as it should be,’' Mr. Weckstein said in a statement.
To increase the level of parental involvement, the center is distributing free copies of the report, “Guidelines for Parent Involvement in Chapter 1 Programs,’' to the parents of Chapter 1 students and their legal advocates.
The booklet contains suggested questions that parents may ask school officials about their remedial programs, and a model policy on parental consultation and involvement.
Copies of the booklet are available for $3 each, plus $1 for postage and handling, from the Center for Law and Education, Larsen Hall, 14 Appian Way, Cambridge, Mass. 02138.
