K-12 Parents and the Public
In this blog, Education Week explored the substantive role parents play in helping set the course of their children’s education and the direction of America’s public schools. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: families & the community.
Education
New Funding, Loan Program for Indiana Charters
Indiana passed a new budget to close the funding gap between charters and regular public schools.
Education
Education Department Pitches 'Family Rights' at PTA Convention
Free, quality preschool, challenging standards, and an affordable college degree are key elements of the U.S. Department of Education's "Set of Family Rights".
School Choice & Charters
Colorado Supreme Court Overturns State's Pilot School Voucher Program
The Colorado Supreme Court decided Douglas County's Choice Scholarship Program is unconstitutional.
School Choice & Charters
Head of National Charter School Group Weighs in on Issues and Trends
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools President and CEO Nina Rees discusses trends and issues in the sector at the 2015 National Charter Schools Conference in New Orleans.
School Choice & Charters
Report Targets The Walton Family Foundation's Charter Expansion Efforts
The report, which was released this week by the American Federation of Teachers and In the Public Interest, was accompanied by a petition calling for more transparency and accountability in the charter school sector.
Special Education
Washington State's First Charter School Receives Second Chance
Despite declining enrollment and unstable leadership, Washington state's first charter school has another year to prove that it can provide a sound education for children.
School & District Management
Who Is Opting Out of Standardized Tests?
A research paper from the Brown Center on Education at Brookings makes some preliminary conclusions about the characteristics of students and school districts where test refusal is prevalent.
Families & the Community
Foundation Hosts Parent-Engagement Advocates to Expand Efforts Nationally
The Eva Longoria Foundation hosts a meeting in Los Angeles to bring funders and practitioners together to increase the reach of parent-engagement strategies nationwide.
Families & the Community
Judge Will Hear Arguments in California Parent-Trigger Petition Trial
Parents in Anaheim, Calif., believe they have enough valid petition signatures to force school district officials to transform their children's elementary school into a charter.
Families & the Community
EdWeek's Parent-Friendly Primer On Vouchers, Education Savings Accounts
Examining the differences among school voucher programs, tax-credit scholarship programs, and education savings accounts is important since more state laws include these school-choice strategies.
Standards & Accountability
Opting Out Highlights Parent Power to Influence Education Policy
Researchers and educators share their opinions and insight into the grassroots-driven national test-refusal movement in a special Commentary section in Education Week.
Law & Courts
Teachers, Parents Seek Principal's Removal at Los Angeles-Area School
Another parent-trigger campaign is underway at a California school, but this time it appears teachers are publicly backing parents to oust their principal.
Families & the Community
More School Districts Develop Parent-Engagement Programs, Departments
Family-engagement advocates who have worked on the sidelines say there are signs that more districts are implementing system-wide strategies to effectively involve parents.
Families & the Community
'Virtual Report Card' to Help NYC Parents Track Student Progress, Attendance
New York City public school parents will be able to monitor their children's academic performance using a new, mobile-friendly digital account.