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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The understanding and active support of parents for all aspects of schooling is important, 
if children are to succeed academically. When parents feel accepted, cared about, and respected, 
they will support the school, regardless of cultural, socio-economic, language, or educational 
background. 
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Parents will actively support their children's education when shown how to do so 
effectively. A parent involvement program can teach parents how to work with their 
their schools. However, the success of such a program is in direct proportion to 
commitment of the school leadership and staff; and to the extent that a 
supporting materials, evaluation and accountability components are provided. 
It is the purpose of this Act (1) to build effective parent involvement in schools in order 
to help raise student achievement; (2) to positively engage parents in their children's education; 
(3) to build consistent and effective communications between home and school so that parents 
may know their children's progress in all aspects of school life; (4) to train teachers to 
communicate effectively with parents; ( 5 )  to train parents in home strategies for raising their 
children's academic success; and (6) to train adminishators and teachers in building support for 
schools in the community. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE. PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO ESTABLISH A “PARENTS AS PARTNERS IN LEARNING” PROGRAM 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress ussemhled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title.- This. Act shall be known as the “Parents as Partners in 
Learning Act of 2004.” - 
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SECTION 2. Definitions.- As used in this Act, the term: 
(1) “Eligible applicant” means one or more of the following: 
(a) a local educational agency; 
(b) an individual school; 
(c) a non-profit organization; 
(d) an institution of higher education; or 
(e) a State educational agency. 
(2) “Parent” includes a legal guardian or other person standing in loco parentis; 
(3) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Department of Education. 
SECTION 3. Grants authorized. - (1) GRANTS AUTHORIZED - The Secretary is 
authorized to make grants to eligible applicants to design and carry out projects that seek to build 
effective parent involvement in the education of their children in order to raise student 
achievement. In malting grants under this Act, the Secretary shall take into consideration regional, 
cultural, and ethnic diversity within the Philippines. 
(2) PRIORITY- In awarding grants under this Act, the Secretary shall give 
priority to eligible applicants whose applications: 
(a) demonstrate the potential to serve as models for dissemination to other 
entities wishing to develop parent participation in schools; and 
(b) describe programs which serve families in greatest need of assistance. 
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SECTION 4. Application. ~ Each eligible applicant desiring to receive a grant un er this 
Act shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing or 
accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. Each such application 
shall: 
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(1) describe the activities and services for which assistance is sought; 
(2) contain an assessment of the extent and quality of parent involvement in the 
school; 
(3) include clear, written objectives and desired outcomes for each year of the 
project; 
(4) contain assurances of frequent and regular communications between teachers 
and parents and between administrators and parents, including consideration of the 
specific language and literacy needs ofthe parents; 
(5) contain such information as the Secretary may require to ensure compliance 
with the provisions of this Act. 
(3) conduct regular and ongoing comrnunity outreach activities which develop 
for the community’s schools; 
;upport 
SECTION 6. Establishment of National Advisory Resource Center Concerning Parents 
as Partners in Learnings,- The Secretaly shall establish and operate a National Advisory Center 
for Parents as Partners in Learning (hereafter in this Act referred to as the “Center”) within the 
Department of Education. The Center shall provide: 
(1) technical assistance in developing model Parents as Partners in Learning 
programs; 
(2) staff training for Parents as Partners in Learning programs; and 
(3) model materials for Parents as Partners in Learning program implementation. 


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SECTION 7. Evaluation and Dissemination. - The Secretary shall conduct an annual 
SECTION 8. Payments. - (1) The Secretary shall pay each eligible applicant ha ing an 
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evaluation of grants made under this Act and shall disseminate such information. 
application approved under Section 4, the government share of the cost of the activities dekcribed 
in the application. The government share: 
( 1 )  for the first year in which the State receives funds under this Act shall be 
seventy five percent (75%); 
(2) for the second such year shall be fifty percent (50%); 
(3) for the third year and each succeeding year thereafter shall be thirty three and 
one third (33‘””)percent, PROVIDED, that government funding shall not exceed five (5) 
years for each program. 
(2) ADDITIONAL FUNDING -The 
eligible applicant shall be responsible for securing 
the additional funding for the program from the private sector, whose contributions under this Act 
may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment or services. 
SECTION 9. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sum as my 
be necessary is hereby:mthorized 
to be appropriated from the National Treasury. Thereafter, the 
sum necessary for the continuous operation of the program shall be included in the annual 
appropriation for the Department of Education. 
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SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, e ecutive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, 
the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 12. ESfectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
Fn: 1130