NATCHEZ &045; Parents have an opportunity tonight to learn how the &uot;No Child Left Behind Act&uot; will impact area schools.

The Natchez-Adams School district, along with The Mississippi Department of Education Office of Student Achievement and Growth, will host a free parent seminar from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today at the Natchez High School auditorium.

Coordinator Marilyn Turner asks parents of students of all ages, students, administrators, community leaders and teachers to attend the event.

Because parents are the most important people in children’s lives, have a direct impact on the growth and development of a child, influences the child’s ability to read and use language and encourages the reading and language habits of the child, &uot;it is very important for parents to come and find out about the law and how it will affect their children,&uot; Turner said.

The purpose of the sessions is to provide parents, guardians

and community members with information concerning the impact on their children’s schools as well as the supplemental services that the law requires to provide children attending those schools.

Lionel Knight of the Mississippi Department of Education will give a power-point presentation discussing the impact of the new legislation on schools, parental involvement, and provisions for supplemental services.

According to Turner, there will be an open discussion during the seminar where parents will be able to take an actual part in the planning and implementing of the children.

In addition to Assessment and Accountability, Researched Based Programs and Practices, and Professional Development, Parental Involvement is one of the four themes of the &uot;No Child Left Behind Act.&uot;

Under the new provisions of parental involvement, a district must notify all parents of the children in Title I schools.

Parents may request information on teacher qualifications at any time and must be notified if the child is assigned to, or has been taught for four or more weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified.

Parents must also be notified if a paraprofessional is provided.

The schools are more accountable for making sure all parents are aware and abreast, said Turner.

&uot;They have the right to know who the child’s teacher is, their qualifications, see all the child’s tests and become involved in any program,&uot; she said.

Refreshments will be provided as well as &uot;No Child Left Behind&uot; tote bags and door prizes for seminar attendees.

Morgantown and McLaurin combined choir will provide entertainment.