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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: families & the community.

School Choice & Charters Study Says District of Columbia Parents Picked Schools Based on Race, Distance
Researchers analyzed 22,000 applications in the District of Columbia school system to determine parents' motivations in making decisions about schools.
Sarah Tully, July 19, 2016
1 min read
Families & the Community N.Y. Teacher Helps Colleagues With Parent Communication
A New York teacher is developing scripts for teachers on how to communicate with parents based on his experience as a debt collector.
Sarah Tully, July 19, 2016
2 min read
Law & Courts Nonprofit Organization Set to Hire Parents To Push for Kid-Friendly Laws
Common Sense Media is hiring parents to organize campaigns related to ballot propositions and legislation aimed at helping children, including education.
Sarah Tully, July 18, 2016
1 min read
Families & the Community More STEM Programs Needed to Expose Families to Careers, Says PTA Paper
The National PTA, in a new paper, says that that few programs are available to inform families about STEM careers and opportunities.
Sarah Tully, July 15, 2016
1 min read
School Choice & Charters Online Ed. Provider, California AG Settle Dispute About Misleading Parents
K12 Inc. has reached a settlement agreement with California's state attorney general, who alleged the company misled parents about schools' academic records and exaggerated enrollments.
Michele Molnar, July 12, 2016
4 min read
Families & the Community Recent Headlines About Ways Parents Are Engaged In Schools
Here's a news roundup that features recent stories about parent-involvement issues, from the concerns and complications of testing to open enrollment.
Sarah Tully, July 11, 2016
1 min read
School Choice & Charters LAUSD, Parents' Group Reach Agreement After Two 'Parent Trigger' Attempts
The 20th Street Elementary School will be operated by a nonprofit organization under an five-year agreement with the district and a parents' group.
Sarah Tully, July 6, 2016
1 min read
Families & the Community National PTA Plans to Push for Policies to Recognize LGBTQ As Protected Class
The national advocacy group passed a resolution at its annual convention to back legislation supporting the LGBTQ community and protect students from bullying and discrimination.
Sarah Tully, July 6, 2016
1 min read
Families & the Community Education Secretary to PTA: Demand Diversity in Schools, Teaching Force
U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. tells parents that they should take leadership roles in promoting diversity in their children's schools and classrooms.
Sarah Tully, July 5, 2016
2 min read
Families & the Community Colorado Schools Reach Out to Parents to Ease Transition to Kindergarten
Schools are holding events, doing home visits, and reaching out to neighborhoods to help parents and children starting kindergarten, aiming to ease the transition for children who have never attended school.
Sarah Tully, June 29, 2016
1 min read
School Choice & Charters U.S. Education Secretary Asks Charter Schools to Rethink Discipline Practices
In a speech at the National Charter School Conference, U.S. Education Secretary John B. King Jr. urged school officials to cut back on student suspensions.
Evie Blad, June 28, 2016
4 min read
Families & the Community New L.A. Program Aims to Help Parents Navigate School Choice
A new effort by Parent Revolution is working to help high-needs families find and apply to district and charter schools in Los Angeles.
Sarah Tully, June 28, 2016
2 min read
Families & the Community National PTA Plans 100,000 STEM Activities for Families In New Initiative
The organization is partnering with Mathnasium, a math learning center business, to offer free activities in homes and schools across the country as part of a new initiative.
Sarah Tully, June 24, 2016
1 min read
Families & the Community Florida Law Lets Parents Request Classroom Transfers For Their Children
School districts in the Sunshine State are required to set up processes for parents to request that their children be transferred to another classroom under a new law.
Sarah Tully, June 23, 2016
1 min read