Parents

Education news, analysis, and opinion about how parents and other family members interact with schools and their children’s education
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Families & the Community What Parents Want Most From Schools: Clear, Honest Communication
A survey of parents points to the importance of clear, detailed information from schools.
Alyson Klein, December 9, 2025
2 min read
A handshake over a bridge between communities built with gratitude in different languages.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
Families & the Community Opinion Parent Engagement Is About More Than Who Shows Up to Family Night
School leaders should treat families as partners, not spectators. Here are 7 strategies.
Kate Carroll-Outten, December 2, 2025
5 min read
Edenton, N.C. - September 5th, 2025: Sonya Rinehart, principal at John A. Holmes High School, stopped to briefly speak with former student (graduated) Jataziun Welch that is working with a local business downtown Edenton.
Sonya Rinehart, the principal of John A. Holmes High School in Edenton, N.C., stopped to briefly speak with former student Jataziun Welch, who is working with a local business in downtown Edenton on Sept. 5, 2025. School leaders have been viewed as community leaders, too. Here are five ways they can embrace the role.
Cornell Watson for Education Week
Families & the Community Five Ways Principals Can Act Like Community Ambassadors
Here are tips for how principals can best support their community.
Jennifer Vilcarino, November 26, 2025
3 min read
Image of a hand raising a red flag.
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Special Education Parents Should Continue to File Disability Rights Complaints, Say Special Ed. Advocates
Continuing to file them puts pressure on the Ed. Dept. to enforce special ed. laws.
Evie Blad, November 21, 2025
4 min read
Close-up Of A Pink Piggy Bank On Wooden Desk In Classroom
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Curriculum Q&A How In-School Banking Could Step Up Teens’ Financial Education
In-school banking has taken root in small, rural schools. Now it's spreading to the nation's largest district.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, November 20, 2025
6 min read
Students in the dual language immersion program at Pueblo Elementary School in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Sept. 16, 2025.
Students in the dual language immersion program at Pueblo Elementary School in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Sept. 16, 2025. A new California poll found high demand for such programs, especially from Latino families.
Courtney Pedroza for Education Week
English Learners Latino Families Show High Demand for Bilingual Education, Poll Finds
Families in California were polled as to their interest in bilingual education programs.
Ileana Najarro, November 17, 2025
4 min read
AI multi-tool knife. Artificial intelligence, solution, chatbot assistance concept. Leader toolkit.
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Artificial Intelligence Parents Need AI Literacy Lessons, Too. A New Toolkit Aims to Help
Two nonprofits teamed up to create a toolkit of resources schools can use to help families.
Alyson Klein, November 17, 2025
2 min read
Illustration of human arm pulling on strings of robot arm with pencil.
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Artificial Intelligence From Our Research Center Schools Are Fielding Complaints Generated by AI. How You Can Tell
Educators shared their experiences with this challenge in a recent EdWeek Research Center survey.
Arianna Prothero, November 14, 2025
3 min read
Illustration of speech bubbles.
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Families & the Community Text, Email, App, or Paper Note? How Teachers Like to Communicate With Parents
Educators have different experiences with what works best to keep in touch.
Jennifer Vilcarino, November 14, 2025
1 min read
Illustration of an attendance sheet.
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School & District Management The Surprising Factor That Makes Absenteeism Interventions More Successful
Schools are communicating more with parents about their kids' attendance. When they do it matters.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, November 12, 2025
3 min read
Collaged illustration of the 3 pillars of reviving school culture. 1. Build bridges with parents, not barriers. 2. Lead teachers with trust and renewal. 3. Inspire student voice, agency, and ownership.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion I Was a Turnaround Principal. Here’s How You Change School Culture
There are three questions that school leaders should ask themselves every day.
Demetria L. Haddock, November 11, 2025
5 min read
Tight cropped photo of the back of a woman holding the hand of her elementary aged son while they drag their light blue rolling suitcases behind them in an airport.
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Families & the Community Should Kids Miss School for Vacation? Parents Say Yes, Teachers Aren't So Sure
Parents seem increasingly comfortable pulling their children out of school for vacations, educators say.
Evie Blad, November 10, 2025
1 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Equity & Diversity Opinion 'Am I Doing Enough?': Chicago Teachers Share Their Heartache Over ICE Raids
Teachers in Latino areas describe the trauma and economic disruption federal raids are causing.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 7, 2025
8 min read
Teacher with primary school student with their parents
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Families & the Community These Schools Let Students Lead Parent-Teacher Conferences—With Big Results
Conferences that put the student in the driver's seat can produce positive results.
Elizabeth Heubeck, October 24, 2025
6 min read