Parent engagement includes working together in a parent-school relationship with on-going, goal-directed communication and culturally responsive support. This shared responsibility seeks what is best for the academic success of students and families, both individually and collectively.

Parent involvement includes activities that support the responsibilities for the academic success of students. It also involves participation in the programmatic activities that support the students’ academic experience, as well as the parents’ involvement in program decision-making.

Family literacy services integrate the following:

• Interactive literacy activities between parent and child
• Training in parenting activities
• Literacy training that leads to economic self-sufficiency (e.g., teaching adults to read)
• Age appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences¹

Family outreach and training provides parents with the required parent and family literacy services, activities, and trainings needed to improve their English language skills. These services enhance the academic achievement of English learners and immigrant students and their families.

¹ “OCTAE.” ED, U.S. Department of EducationOpens a new window

English language proficiency is the ability of a student to listen, speak, read, and write at a level that allows the student to complete grade-level classwork in English.

English learners refers to a student whose primary language is other than English and who is in the process of acquiring the English language. At times, the terms EL and limited English proficient (LEP) may be used interchangeably when referencing federal statute.

ESC refers to the twenty Education Service Centers in the state of Texas.

ESSA refers to the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation’s national education law.

Fiscal Agent refers to an entity designated to be ultimately responsible for compliance with grant requirements and conducting administrative duties associated with the grant.

Immigrant refers to individuals who: (A) are aged 3 through 21; (B) were not born in any State; and (3) and have not been attending one or more schools in any one or more States for more than 3 full academic years (ESSA, 2016).

Local Educational Agency (LEA) refers to a public school district or open-enrollment charter school. LEA and school district are synonymous and may be used interchangeably.

Needs assessment refers to a systematic process for determining and addressing needs between current processes and future processes, used to understand priorities and make adjustments or improvements as needed.

Shared Service Arrangement (SSA) refers to an arrangement between two or more school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and/or ESCs. For more information refer to the General and Fiscal Guidelines

Stakeholders are LEA or ESC (Fiscal Agent) administrators, faculty, staff, parents, students, and community members.

Supplant means to take the place of or replace. Title III, Part A funding must be used to supplement programs and services offered with federal, state, and local funds, not supplant them.

Supplement means to add to, enhance, or increase. Title III, Part A funds must supplement programs and services offered with federal, state, and local funds.