Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a home-school-community partnership which supports parents in their role as their child’s first and most influential teachers. What began with four pilot sites in 1981 was implemented state wide with the passage of the Early Childhood Development Act of 1984. This bill mandated that every school district provide parent education and screening services to families with children ages birth to five. Parents in every Missouri school district can choose to take advantage of PAT services which include personal visits from certified parent educators, group meetings, developmental screenings and connections with other community resources from the time their child is born until he/she enters kindergarten.

Parent Education - Columbia Public Schools 2007-2008

¨3465 families received parent education services.

An increase from 230 families served in 1985-86.

¨65% of all eligible families in Columbia Public Schools with children ages birth to three participated in Parents As Teachers.

¨622 new families were enrolled.

Screening - Columbia Public Schools 2007-2008

¨2819 children ages one to five were screened in overall development, language, hearing, health and vision.

¨99 children were identified with possible problems in vision.

¨178 children were identified with possible problems in hearing.

¨375 children were identified with possible problems in health.

¨642 children were identified with possible delays in development.

Individualizing Services

¨169 teen parents with children ages birth to five participating in Parents As Teachers.

¨390 families were speakers of other languages with limited English proficiency.

¨1127 participating parents were of low-income.

Parent Educators

¨40 parent educators provided PAT services.

An increase from 3 parent educators in 1985-86.

¨All parent educators have undergraduate or graduate degrees, related experience, and PAT certification in the state of Missouri.

Community Connection

PAT programs collaborate with other agencies or programs to meet families’ needs, including: Daniel Boone Regional Library, First Steps, Head Start, Community Partnership, Columbia/Boone County Health Department, Division of Family Services, Title I, Early Childhood Special Education, Educare, First Chance for Children, Columbia Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Parks and Recreation.

Evidence-Based Outcomes show . . . (1985-2007)

¨PAT helps all children enter school ready to learn, especially when they also attend a quality preschool program.

¨PAT supports later school achievement.

¨PAT prevents child abuse

¨PAT increases parent involvement

¨PAT improves children’s health and developmental outcomes.

Columbia Public Schools

555 Vandiver Drive

Columbia, MO 65202-1508

(573) 214-3955

www.columbia.k12.mo.us