The Selma Times-Journal

Now parents will learn as much as their children who

attend Dallas County Schools.

The district received an $85,000 grant to launch the HIPPY program, the first for the county.

HIPPY works alongside the Head Start program and stands for Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters.

The program trains parents on a curriculum they in turn teach their child aged 3, 4, or 5.

In Dallas County, the grant will enable the county to staff the program with four part-time instructors, three home visitors, and a learning coordinator. Home visitors must be previous Dallas County residents and have a child who is also preschool age.

The aim of the program is to get parents actively involved in teaching their children using a curriculum developed by education experts. Role playing is at the center of what is called “the HIPPY model.”

The coordinators and home visitors first role play activities, taking turns in the roles of parent and child. Home visitors then role play the activities with parents, and parents then role play the activities with their children.

Studies that have been conducted on the model find that children who participate in the program tend to behave exceptionally well and consistently perform better academically.

The county school board:

& Approved 5 year capital plan FY2008

& Approved textbook committee

& Took steps to prevent SuperBug

& Named William Minor District 2 AABS representative

& Approved paper bid for Newell Paper Co.

& Announced grant for HIPPY