Engaging GEAR UP Parents Presented by Deborah Jones Janet St. Cyr-Moore Barbara Varmall YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge

Engaging Parents in Education: Lessons From Five Parental Information and Resource Centers To download, go to: arentinvolve/index.html. arentinvolve/index.html or Order copies at EDPubs:

How to Succeed in Engaging Families Focus on building trusting, collaborative relationships among teachers, families, and community members. Recognize, respect, and address families’ needs and any class and cultural differences. Embrace a philosophy of partnership where power and responsibility are shared.

Partner With Community and Faith–Based Organizations Can help to connect with hard-to-reach parents Parents may be more receptive to organizations they trust Have more intimate knowledge of the needs and concerns of their particular constituents Can help leverage resources

Parental Information and Resource Centers Provide leadership, technical assistance, and support in parental involvement to improve student academic achievement Strengthen partnerships among parents and school personnel to meet the education needs of children Develop and strengthen the relationship between parents and their children’s school Provide a comprehensive approach to improving student learning

Parent Training & Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers Help families obtain appropriate education and services for their children with disabilities Work to improve education results for all children Train and inform parents and professionals on a variety of topics Resolve problems between families and schools or other agencies Connect children with disabilities to community resources that address their needs.

Black Alliance for Educational Options Actively supports parental choice to empower low-income and working class black-families and increase quality educational options for Black children Annual Symposium is a safe space for parental choice advocates to be informed, inspired and empowered to advocate for school choice in their local community Annual Symposium in February 27-29, 2008 in New Orleans

Other Organizations Kiwanis Clubs Rotary Clubs Children’s Trust Fund Prevent Child Abuse NAACP Branches National Urban League Affiliates YMCA YWCA Local churches and faith-based organizations

Tips for Connecting With Hard- to-Reach Parents Use community and faith-based organizations that are in direct contact with hard-to-reach populations Train liaisons to make home visits that are informed, targeted, and culturally sensitive Recruit liaisons who can easily integrate into the target community Hosts summits, trainings, and workshops that include community and faith-based organizations

Moving Parents From Information to Action Bring together parents, teachers, and students to discuss key education issues of importance and interest to them Facilitate workshops that help parents understand how to identify and ask the important questions regarding the education of their children that they need answered. Desired result: Parents are ready and able to support and advocate for their children Desired result: Parents are more likely to volunteer

Assess Needs Regarding Parent- Friendly Nature of Program Create and distribute surveys about family friendliness. Use results to inform organizational practices. Distribute survey results to parents in clear language and format (use a short, concise summary with lots of graphics and color).

Train Parent Liaisons to Effectively Link Parents and Educators Partner with district Title I offices, State Education Agencies, etc. to develop and facilitate trainings. Deliver a broad curriculum that helps liaisons develop the technical, cultural, and social skills required. Prepare liaisons to meet the specific needs of parents of children with disabilities. Create cohorts of liaisons to facilitate networking and mutual support Collaborate with other organizations to train liaisons in additional areas of need.

Share Best Practices And Ask Questions

GEAR UP EVENTS Baton Rouge, LA