Executive Summary
Transcript: References BRICK Avon Academy School. (n.d.). School vision and mission statement. Retrieved from http://www.nps.k12.nj.us/23522092802729590/site/default.asp Dervarics, C & O’Brien, E. (2011). Back to school: How parent involvement affects student achievement (At a glance). The Center for Public Education. Retrieved from http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Public-education/Parent-Involvement Ruben, M. (2009). Ten best practices for leading organizational change. Ruben Consulting Group. Retrieved from http://www.leadershiptangles.com/leadership-tangles-blog/bid/40661/Ten-Best-Practices-for-Leading-Organizational-Change Spiro, Jody. (2010). Leading Change Step-by-Step: Tactics, Tools, and Tales. John Wiley & Sons (P&T), 12/2010. <vbk:9781118397060#page(60)>. The “small win” began with the recruitment of a team of teachers that serve as the facilitators of the parent workshops. This team of teachers provides the successful training and serves as advisors for the parent participants. The benefits of the win included the development of a community partnership of stakeholders. The community includes the administration, parents, and teachers who will collaboratively work together as well informed decision-makers that will provide the foundation and support of increased student academic achievement. BRICK Avon Academy In conclusion, according to Ruben (2009) ten best practices for leading organizational change, BRICK Avon Academy is using best practice to implement the change strategy. The practices include the ability to assess and plan, demonstrated leadership and commitment, building an implementation team that includes key stakeholders and influential leaders in the organization; and assess and monitor the impact of the change. The next steps in the change strategy include increasing parent attendance, creation and implementation of additional workshops in accordance to parent feedback, and tracking the impact on academic achievement, motivation, and student confidence. The goal of BRICK’s change strategy is to enhance student learning and support scholars enabling them to be successful productive individuals that can enter the 21st century workforce. According to BRICK Avon Academy’s mission statement (n.d.) building responsible, intelligent, and creative students through partnership of school, parents, and the community with prepare scholars to be successful in the 21st century globally society. Shared values are created when the stakeholders work in partnership, accountability is upheld, as parents gain knowledge and skills they become better role models and supporters of their children. The partnership must be created around student learning to identify the barriers to achievement, resulting in increased student achievement (Dervarics and O’Brien, 2011). In solidifying the foundation of the family, the students will thrive, be highly motivated and develop from that stronger parental foundation resulting in higher academic achievement and success. The change strategy addresses the lack of parental awareness of the components of the programs and use of Internet tools to support student success. Workshops will continue throughout the school year. For results and correspondence for those workshops, visit the community blog. "Small Win" Parents have begun to attend educational workshops held at BRICK Avon Academy. At the end of meetings, each parent responded to an “ABC” evaluation:" What action will you take as a result of the meeting?" What was the best part of this meeting?" What concerns do you have? Post these concerns and ask for resolutions to be offered in the BRICK Community Blog. Additional comments, responses, and resolutions will be used to revise any upcoming workshops and be included in decision making changes in our school curriculum and schedule. Educational Opportunities for Parents