Parent and Student Learning Village

 

Detroit Public Schools parents can now access a variety of education resources, including online textbooks and class assignments, for their children from anywhere with an Internet connection, thanks to a brand new robust online parent portal.

Though the Parent/Student Learning Village tool, parents and students will receive a username and password and can pull a variety of educational resources for all grade levels, including class assignments, class syllabus, online textbooks, event calendars, activities, and education programs like Destination Reading and Math. Related links to other helpful resources also are available on the homepage, such as the Michigan Department of Education and Discovery Education, a website with digital educational materials.

The online portal is part of a districtwide strategy to accelerate DPS' transformation into a 21^st-century learning environment by enabling parents to continue students' education at home after school hours and on weekends.

Phase One of Learning Village, which kicked off in early 2010 as part of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s multi-year technology partnership with DPS, provided teachers with an abundance of online educational resources and instructional tools such as Destination Reading and Math, as well as Data Director—a program that allows teachers to utilize test data to drive instruction in the classroom. So far, more than 4,000 teachers have successfully accessed the program, many of which use it daily.

Phase Two of Learning Village, which launched this week, allows parents and students to log onto Learning Village from any computer with Internet access.

This initiative is in close coordination with Parent Engagement 2.0, a DPS plan to increase parent involvement through the school-based Parent Resource Centers, training camps that focus on parenting, workshops and more. In addition, Learning Village can be accessed online through the Detroit Public Library, branches of the City of Detroit Parks & Recreation, Detroit YMCA locations, area churches, community development centers and Focus Hope. Additional training and tutorials on the Grade Book and other systems will occur in the fall.

Learning Village is part of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s partnership with DPS to provide a unique, integrated education solution that combines advanced technology, customized lesson plans, and professional development designed to increase student learning. Online education tools include Destination Reading and Math, two online learning programs in which Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will soon launch a “Virtual Summer Camp” version to supplement in-person summer school learning.

 

DPS Learning Village Features

• A parent resource website with an abundance of tools and information to support learning opportunities at home
• Learning activities, electronic books and websites provided by grade level allowing students to access resources at an appropriate level of instruction
• Coming Fall 2011 – Online access to daily homework assignments and classroom activities assigned by classroom teachers

 

How to get started

Go to http://detroit.hmhlearningvillage.com

Every parent should receive log on information sent home with students during the week of June 6, 2011. That information will contain a password.

For log on support, contact your local DPS Parent Resource Center or call the HMH Tech Support desk at: 1-888-327-2906.

 

Log-in information and training

Eight Parent Resource Centers are actively participating in helping parents use Learning Village, including providing training workshops.

Additionally, staff has been trained and can assist parents both in person and by phone.

For additional tech support, call 1-888-327-2906.

 

Upcoming

By January, parents, teachers, counselors and in all schools will have unparalleled immediate notifications and information about students’ grades, absences, progress and more, through a system tied to an accessible online Electronic Grade Book.

Those tools, being developed with Wayne County RESA, include:

• Electronic Grade Book – This electronic grade book allows parents to view the grades their child has earned on classroom assignments.  This Grade Book is tied to the marks-gathering process.
• Data-driven notification and tracking system that notifies school officials and parents when certain pre-determined triggers are engaged.  For example, a notification can be sent to teachers, counselors and parents whenever a student amasses 3 consecutive absences.  The expectation is that a plan of action for the student is immediately implemented.
• PULSE (Early monitoring system for students who are heading off-track)  This gives school officials information, based on a rubric, about students that are heading off track for promotion or graduation. Intervention is expected immediately upon notification.
• Parent Connection – This tool, which is tied to the Grade Book, allows parents, schools and teachers to connect around individual student progress.  The system will display data on attendance, grades, classroom assignments, and more.  Parents and teachers will be able to exchange emails via this tool.

Bates, Denby, Chrysler and Burton International are currently participating in a pilot of the Parent Connection, Grade Book and other new tools. The anticipated roll out to the entire district is in Fall 2011.

The new tool also aligns with the Family/Community Support and Empowerment section of DPS’ academic plan, focused on creating widespread, effective two-way communication using a variety of tools to engage families and the community.

 

About Detroit Public Schools’ academic plan

Under the district’s five-year academic plan, students are seeing a more rigorous academic curriculum at every school. The academic plan includes extended time for reading and mathematics under a common core curriculum; pre-algebra for 7^th graders; tutors for pre-kindergartners through the Volunteer Reading Corps; additional language courses; more Advanced Placement courses; and more opportunities for student apprenticeships, internships, shadowing and mentorships.