Parent U RFP - DS

8/9/2019 Parent U RFP - DS

1/6

Boston Public SchoolsOffice of Family and Student Engagement

PARENT UNIVERSITY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Parent University Class Offerings

Boston Public Schools is seeking proposals from BPS Departments, external partners and community-

based organizations to present Parent University session/class offerings for School Year 2010-2011.Successful proposals must meet the requirements detailed in this RFP and be submitted electronically by5:00pm on July 15, 2010 to BPS Parent University at [email protected].

1. Parent University Overview

The Boston Public Schools vision for family and student engagement is every school will welcome everyfamily and every student actively engaging them as partners in student learning and school improvement.The Office of Family and Student Engagement is charged with building the capacity of schools, families,students and the district to attain that vision. The primary strategy for engaging families is ParentUniversity, a learning experience specifically designed to help BPS parents increase their understanding ofhow children learn and develop; what their children should be learning; how to help their children get

what they need to succeed; and how to bring other parents together to work for school improvement.

The theory of change that drives the Parent University is: If we provide all BPS parents with theknowledge and experiences that build their capacity to advocate and support not only their childslearning but their own personal learning, then parents will become more engaged and intentional indemanding and supporting quality education for their children in ways that result in improved studentoutcomes and school improvement

Parent University offers three full day Saturday learning sessions during the academic year; one eachheld in October, January, and May. Learning Session/classes at these full day sessions will be offered intwo (2) two hour blocks and one 90 minute block. Additional sessions are offered throughout the year atschools, libraries and community centers. These intersession offerings can be either a single class or aseries of classes, with an in-depth focus.

Parents earn Parent University Points (PUPs) for each class or series completed. The points areaccumulated to earn incentives and/or a Parent University Certificate in June. In 2009-10 over 700 parentsparticipated in Parent University learning sessions, with approximately 80 meeting the 10 PUPrequirements for receiving a Parent University Certificate. Parent University is open to all BPS families,with intensive outreach to low-income families of color and immigrant families. Parent U will providestrands in Spanish in Year 1 and expanded language offerings in Year 2. There will be no cost to BPSfamilies and minimal cost to others.

We firmly believe that Parent University is an effective strategy for increasing the capacity of parents tonavigate, advocate and partner with BPS for student success and school improvement.

2. Parent University Outcomes:

Parent University has been well received by BPS parents. Consistency and high standards have earned a85% satisfaction ranking of good/excellent for class offerings at learning session. To maintain highquality, Parent University staff monitor classes and offer suggestions and guidance to presenters, whennecessary.

Based on the theory of change, the following outcomes have been developed as indicators and measuresfor Parent University:

1. Increase engagement of families in school activities such as parent-teacher conferences,Instructional Leadership Teams, School Parent Council and School Site Council.

1
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


2/6

2. Increase in parent efficacy as evidenced by: Parents self-report increased confidence and knowledge to support and advocate for both their

childrens learning and their own; Parents self-report behavioral changes that contribute to stronger supports for learning at home; Parents self-report a clearer understanding of what their children should know and be able to do

by grade level; Parents self-report a higher level of effectiveness and meaningful communications between home

and school; Schools report higher levels of parent engagement in school events and programs; Schools report an increase in the effectiveness of activities primarily linked to learning; and, Increased number of families actively participating in decision-making and school improvement:

such as School Parent Council, School Site Council, Instructional Leadership Team, and otherschool committees.

3. Parent University Teaching Methodology:

The Parent University teaching methodology is based on the principles of adult learning and places valueon the knowledge, skills and experiences that participants bring to the classroom. The class/presentationformat is interactive and follows the following sequence:

Overview of topic/ subject matter

Assess participant knowledge of topic/subject matter

Introduce new knowledge/skills based on topic/subject matter

Provide opportunity for participants to do something or experiment with the newknowledge/skills.

The curriculum is divided into four strands that provide a developmental continuum and a range ofofferings. Parents are Teachers which focuses on providing parents a clearer understanding of thedevelopmental process of learning, how to stimulate and support healthy intellectual and socialdevelopment for their children and the teaching and learning approaches used by the BPS. Parents areAdvocates which seeks to build parents capacity to be a better advocate for their child, understand thelearning standards and assessments, how to support learning at home and how to access resources toensure their child reaches academic proficiency. Parents are Learners provides parents the opportunity to

build upon their own skills for personal and professional development. Parents are Leaders providesparents with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to assume leadership roles in their schools, theBPS and community. Each strand has key elements that detail how participants will gain knowledge, buildskills and apply learning (See Attachment 2 for details). Successful proposals must align with a specificstrand and the class format (See Attachments 3 and 4) must incorporate principles of adult learning.

In addition to utilizing a methodology based on principles of adult learning, Parent University offeringsmust be grounded in culturally competent practice and promote a growth mindset. The growth mindsetmodel is based on the theory that individuals achieve through effective effort not innate ability.

4. Language Expansion:

It is the desire of the staff of Parent University to be able to serve all BPS families. The languageexpansion goal for Parent U is to increase our language capacity across strands each sequential year bypartnering with other district departments and community agencies to offer a broad range of classes in avariety of languages. In the first year, Parent University offered over 35 classes including 12 which werefacilitated in Spanish. In year two, Parent University will increase the language capacity with classesoffered a minimum of two additional languages.

Proposal Process

2


3/6

Request must be submitted to BPS Parent University by 5:00PM on July 15, 2010. All proposals must besubmitted electronically [email protected] .

The proposal review process will be completed by July 15, 2010. BPS Parent University will notifyorganizations/individuals of the status of proposals by July 26, 2010.

BPS Parent University has limited funding to support proposals for learning sessions which limit theability to purchase services. Successful proposals that require fees or other financial commitment mustdemonstrate a level of in-kind contributions and provide a detailed narrative.

A Memorandum of Agreement will be developed for each presenter/organization that details theagreement between BPS Parent University and the presenter/organization that includes presentation dates,and expectations for presenters, materials and outcomes. The MOA will also include any fees or costsassociated with the delivery of learning sessions.

Approval Process

Parent University Curriculum Committee will review all submissions and rank proposals using the

following criteria and rankings.

Proposals will be ranked using the following criteria in the nine (9) areas listed below:

4 Highly Recommended 3 Recommended 2- Acceptable 1- Unacceptable

1. Proposal Alignment to Parent University learning strands

2. Competence track record for providing services to BPS Parent University demographic

3. Competence track record for successfully delivering content

4. Content Level of benefit to parents

5. Content Level of relevance to learning Strands

6. Delivery Incorporates principles of adult learning

7. Delivery Level of interaction

8. Outcomes Clear, measurable learning outcomes

9. Financial Commitment level of BPS financial commitment; fees, materials, etc..

3


4/6

Proposal Format: 2-4 pages

Successful proposals will include clearly defined learning objectives and content that are aligned to the

Parent University Strands, and utilize a methodology that is grounded in principles of adult education. It

should include strategies for assessing prior knowledge of participants and providing opportunities for

participants to interact with each other and the content. Submissions must include the following:

Cover Letter (1 pg.) that provides a narrative that includes:

Description of how the organizational mission or purpose aligns with Parent University

Brief information about the organization/individual submitting the proposal that includes

experience and track record in delivering the proposed content

Experience in delivering content to a diverse populations

Proposal (1-3 pgs.) using the attached proposal format (Attachment 1)

Appendix: Please attach the following

1. Course materials(if available): handouts, PowerPoint

List of references

NON-DISCRIMINATION:

In performing in accordance with the terms of the Request For Proposal, the responder agrees notto discriminate against any participant because of sex, race, religion, color, national origin orancestry, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression as statedin the BPS Non-Discrimination Policy.

Successful proposals must meet the requirements detailed in this RFP and be submitted

electronically by 5:00pm on July 15, 2010 to BPS Parent University [email protected] .

Proposal Review Process

Date Action Completed

July 10, 2010 Deadline for Amendments to Original Proposal

July 15, 2010 Deadline for Submission of completed Request For Proposal

July 15-20, 2010 Review of Proposals

July 21 26, 2010 Acceptance Notices SentJuly 27 30, 2010 Contract Completion

Attachments:

1. Proposal Format

2. Parent University Strands

4


5/6

Request for Proposal Cover Sheet:

Proposal should be no more than four pages

Contact information

Organization:

Contact Person:

Address:

Email: Tel.

Proposed Class Title(s)

Strand Alignment: Parents are Teachers Parents are AdvocatesParents are Leaders Parents are Learners

Level of Training: Beginners Intermediate Advanced

To Be Presented:

Full Day Sessions: Fall Session Winter Session Spring Session

Intercessions: Fall (Nov. Dec.) Winter(Feb.-Mar) Spring (Apr-May)

5


6/6

Parent University Learning Session Proposals

Class Overview: (50 words or less)

Learning Objectives:List Learning Objectives: What will participants know and/or be able to do by the end of thisclass? (Knowledge; Skills; Application)

How will participants demonstrate they have met learning objectives?

How are the principles of adult learning incorporated into the learning session?

Provide an outline of the session, include description of learning activities:

6

Documents

Parent U RFP - DS