What is a School-Parent Compact?
A school-parent compact is a written commitment that outlines how the entire school community – teachers, families, and students – will share the responsibility for improved academic achievement.
The compact must describe how the school will:
- Provide high-quality curriculum and instruction
- Hold parent-teacher conferences annually in elementary schools
- Provide parents with reports on their child’s progress
- Provide parents reasonable access to staff
- Provide parents opportunities to volunteer
- Ensure regular two-way meaningful communication between family members and staff to the extent practicable in a language family members can understand
You, as a Title I parent or family member, have the right to be involved in the development of the compact.
What is a School-Parent Compact?
The school-parent compact will be shared September 2024 as a document sent home with your child. In addition, the compact can be found on our website.
What curriculum does our school use?
The Tennessee Academic Standards provide a common set of expectations for what students will know and be able to do at the end of a grade for each subject area.
Tennessee's academic standards form the framework for everything taught at Tom Joy.
More information about Tennessee’s academic standards.
What tests will my child be taking?
- FastBridge - Universal Screener with subtests for each grade Kindergarten through 5th Grade
- Benchmark Assessments - Wit and Wisdom end of unit assessments
- TNReady - Standardized tests for 3rd through 5th graders
- WIDA/Access - EL students
Proficiency levels depend on the grade level. If grade level expectations are not met, students will have the opportunity to have daily Personalized Learning Times to close the gap.
How can I be involved?
We need you! Research has proven that family engagement in education has more impact on student achievement than any other factor.
To get involved with the SIP, ask the administrators to participate in leadership meetings while we work on this document, participate in school surveys, attend the annual meeting, and/or contact Lindy McKinney.
To get involved with the Parent and Family Engagement Policy, ask the administrators to participate in leadership meetings while we work on this document, participate in school surveys, attend the annual meeting, and/or contact Lindy McKinney.
To get involved with the School-Parent Compact, ask the administrators to participate in leadership meetings while we work on this document, participate in school surveys, attend the annual meeting, and/or contact Lindy McKinney.
How can I be involved?
Ways families can be involved in the education of their student. Examples may include, but are not limited to:
- Encouraging attendance
- Monitoring grades and schoolwork on an online system or portal
- Attending family events and meetings (provide specific dates when possible)
- Observing or volunteering in classrooms
- Joining family groups and committees (e.g., PTA/PTO, advisory councils, etc.)
- Reading school/classroom newsletters or websites that contain examples of learning activities families can do with students at home
Who can I contact for help?
For general questions, call the front office at: 615-262-6724.
To reach the principal, Dr. Hood or Mrs. Crockett, call: 615-262-6724.
To reach the school counselor, Dr. Starnes or Mrs. Vincent, call: 615-262-6724.
To reach our family liaison, Mrs. Hinners or Ms. Gore, call: 615-262-6724.
To reach your child’s teacher, call the front office or view our staff directory.
What is our school’s designation status?
In accordance with Tennessee’s accountability system, the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) determines designations for all public schools. Designations include:
- Reward Schools - Reward schools include the top 10 percent of schools
- Priority Schools - Priority schools are the 5 percent of schools with the lowest success rates (using up to three years of data) in the state
- Focus Schools - Focus schools are the 10 percent of schools identified through one of three pathways:
- Graduation Rate Pathway - High schools with an average graduation rate of less than 60 percent
- Subgroup Pathway - Any subgroup with a success rate of less than ten percent
- Gap Pathway - Schools with the largest gaps between selected groups
For more information, see the Tennessee Department of Education website.
What is the State Report Card?
TDOE releases an annual Report Card on Tennessee schools. This report displays state-, district-, and school-level data for each school year. It includes information on demographics, achievement, academic growth, attendance, graduation rate, and more.
You can view the data statewide or you can choose a specific district or school.
You can view the report card here: https://www.measuretn.gov:444/ReportCard/#/
What is parent and family engagement?
Family engagement is a shared responsibility in which schools and other community agencies and organizations are committed to reaching out to engage families in meaningful ways and in which families are committed to actively supporting their children's learning and development.
Family engagement is continuous across a child’s life and entails enduring commitment but changing family roles as children mature into young adulthood.
Effective family engagement cuts across and reinforces learning in the multiple settings where children learn – at home, in pre-kindergarten programs, in school, in after-school programs, in faith-based institutions, and in the community.
Source: The National Association for Family School and Community Engagement (https://nafsce.site-ym.com/page/definition)
What is parent and family engagement?
“Through effective communication with parents, teachers can have the greatest impact on their day-to-day success with students. With parents on their side, teachers can more effectively manage most academic and behavioral issues that arise. When the most important adults in a child’s life are working together, students benefit enormously.”
—Lee and Marleen Canter
Source: Parents on your Side: A Teacher’s Guide to Creating Positive Relationships with Parents