Families & the Community Blog

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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: families & the community.

Families & the Community New York Posts 'Parents' Bill of Rights' to Safeguard Student Data
Parent advocates in New York push for more specifics regarding the right to review contracts with vendors that have access to sensitive student data, news reports say.
Karla Scoon Reid, August 12, 2014
2 min read
School Choice & Charters Several Mich. Charter School Authorizers May Lose Power to Open New Schools
11 of Michigan's 40 charter school authorizers face possible suspension for poor oversight.
Arianna Prothero, August 11, 2014
1 min read
Equity & Diversity Federal Pre-K Push Could Also Boost Parents' Education, Advocates Say
Advocates for multigenerational programs believe that funding for parent education efforts also should increase with federal investments to expand preschool options.
Karla Scoon Reid, August 6, 2014
1 min read
Equity & Diversity Judge Rejects Parents' Motion in Louisiana Voucher Case
A federal judge reaffirms his order that Louisiana must provide data regarding students served by its private-school voucher program to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Mark Walsh, August 5, 2014
3 min read
Families & the Community White House Symposium Addresses Family-Engagement Practices Nationwide
The event, which drew representatives from the research and philanthropic communities, focused on family-engagement methods intended to involve parents in their children's education far beyond the annual parent-teacher conference.
Amanda Ulrich, August 1, 2014
2 min read
Education D.C Charter Schools Group Sues the District, Alleging Inequitable Funding
The D.C. Association of Chartered Public Schools, alleges in a lawsuit filed Wednesday, that since 2008 the District of Columbia has shortchanged its charter schools by about $770 million.
Denisa R. Superville, July 31, 2014
1 min read
School Choice & Charters Sen. Rand Paul Pushes School Choice at National Urban League Conference
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a potential presidential contender, expressed his support for school choice policies at the National Urban League's annual conference.
Lauren Camera, July 25, 2014
1 min read
Education Glenn Beck Common-Core Event Enlists Parents in Battling the Standards
The conservative TV host had parents in his studio and in movie-theater audiences as he led a strategy session for how to get states to withdraw from the common standards.
Mark Walsh, July 24, 2014
1 min read
School Choice & Charters Charter School Cap and Closure Laws Among Growing Policy Trends
Charter school authorizing, caps, and closures are among a group of policy trends highlighted in a report on charter laws by the Education Commission of the States.
Arianna Prothero, July 23, 2014
1 min read
Families & the Community Philadelphia District Invites Educators, Families to Redesign Schools
The School Redesign Initiative will give parents, teachers, educators, and community organizations the opportunity to propose ideas to transform the city's traditional neighborhood public schools.
Denisa R. Superville, July 22, 2014
2 min read
School Choice & Charters Fla. Teachers' Union to Challenge State's Expanding Private School Choice Program
The Florida Education Association says it plans to take legal action over a new law expanding the state's tax-credit scholarship program.
Arianna Prothero, July 16, 2014
1 min read
School Choice & Charters Despite Challenges, La. Private School Voucher Program Is Growing
Louisiana's school voucher program has grown by 30 percent since it expanded statewide in 2012.
Arianna Prothero, July 14, 2014
2 min read
Standards & Accountability Survey Finds Parents Conflicted About Time Dedicated to Testing Students
Parents say assessments and test prep are stealing instructional time away from their children, according to a new survey.
Karla Scoon Reid, June 27, 2014
1 min read
School Choice & Charters District of Columbia Parents, Council Members Seek Boundary-Plan Delay
Plans to shift attendance zones in the District of Columbia Public Schools prompt parents to ask district leaders to slow down the overhaul.
Karla Scoon Reid, June 27, 2014
1 min read