Gov. Heineman Announces New Award
for Parental Involvement in Education

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman announced the creation of a new award designed to highlight the successful efforts of school districts that actively involve parents in their child’s education. The Governor was joined by First lady Sally Ganem, a 30 year educator, to highlight the importance of parental involvement in the learning process.

The Governor is collaborating with the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) on the 2007 Nebraska Governor’s Education Initiative Award for Parental Involvement Programs. This fall three school districts will be recognized for their efforts to engage parents.

“Parents are a child’s first and best teachers and I’ve challenged our education community to find better, inventive ways to get parents more actively involved in their child’s education,” Gov. Heineman said. “We need to create an environment where learning takes place not just in a classroom, but is a central part of family life. This award is one way to recognize the efforts of school districts that put a priority on building stronger relationships with parents and engaging them more fully in their child’s education.”

Ganem said, “When parents read or listen to their children on a regular basis, reading achievement improves. Parental involvement is critically important in the education of children of all ages – from newborns through high school and beyond. As a former elementary school teacher and principal, I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue working with parents, schools and communities on this issue.”

NASB Board Member Susan DeCamp said, “Parents play a vital part in every student’s success, and it’s important that schools work together with families and communities to provide the best learning environment possible. This award is an opportunity to recognize the leaders in this field and help others develop strategies to get parents more involved in their local schools.”

Sponsored by Aramark, the winning school districts will be announced Friday, Nov. 16, during the NASB/Nebraska Association of School Administrators State Education Conference being held in Omaha. During the conference, the 2007 honorees will be invited to share strategies and discuss the impact active parental engagement has on student achievement. The Governor’s Award will be presented to school districts of varying size, one with enrollment of less than 499 students, 500 and 999 students, and more than 1,000 students.

A committee made up of school board and superintendent representatives, the head of the Nebraska Parent Involvement and Research Center and an NASB representative will select the three school districts to be recognized. Selection criteria are based on education research performed by Johns Hopkins University and the National Parent Teacher Association’s Schools of Excellence certification process.

To learn more about the Governor’s Award or nominate a school district, visit the NASB Web site, at http://www.nasbonline.org.