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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: families & the community.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
Papers Explore Emergence of 'Parent Power'
Two national organizations recently released studies or commentary on the topic of "parent power," and how it is being harnessed for school reform these days.
Education
Louisiana: Boards Can Penalize Parents for Failure to Participate
A Louisiana law that went into effect on Aug. 1 empowers school districts to take punitive action against parents who fail three times to show up for a teacher-requested parent-teacher conference, either in person or over the phone.
Education
More Parental Involvement Means Fewer Runaways
Parental involvement in schools is one predictor for adolescent runaway behavior, according to a study released today by the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS).
Education
Group Publishes e-Book on Parents' Role in Reading
"Let's Read Them a Story! The Parent Factor in Education" is a new 82-page resource for parents and teachers recently published by The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Programme for International Assessment (PISA). It is available for free download.
Education
Nevada PTA Sets Example on Male Engagement
Making men feel welcome in public schools can have a powerful impact—as the Nevada PTA has shown, where efforts to increase male involvement in education resulted in higher grades and lower need for discipline.
After a concerted effort by Nevada PTA to engage men in the education of their children, grade point averages rose and disciplinary cases decreased by more than 50 percent.
Education
'Parent Trigger' Gets Hollywood Treatment
On Sept. 28, the movie "Won't Back Down," a fictional account of frustrated parents seeking to transform a school in Pittsburgh, will open in theaters around the country.
Education
Waivers Falling Short in 'Parent-Engagement' Area, Researcher Says
The U.S. Department of Education should enforce the "parent engagement" requirement that is part of the No Child Left Behind Act waiver process for failing schools, according to the Annenberg Institute for School Reform.
Education
Calif. Parents Win Victory under Trigger Policy
A group of California parents seeking to overhaul a low-performing school won a legal victory when a judge ruled that they collected enough signatures to revamp the school's operations and convert it to a charter school.
Education
PTA Offers Advice on Talking to Kids After Movie Shootings
The National PTA is among the groups advising parents how to talk to children about the mass shooting in Aurora, Colo.
Education
'Public Square' Website Solicits Parents' Insights
Parents in Palm Beach County, Florida can share their thoughts about their schools via YourPBC.org, a "public square" website designed to convey their opinions to educational policymakers.
Education
Public Strong on Local Control of Schools, Study Finds
A study of 40 years of public opinion polls shows that the public wants to retain control of local schools via an elected school board, but looks to federal and state authorities to ensure equitable distribution of funding and shared standards for what children learn in school.
Education
Tracking Legislation Impacting Parents
POPVOX.com is a non-partisan website that gives visitors access to a wealth of information about the bills in Congress that interest them.
Education
'Community Support' Tops List of Public Education 'Pluses'
"Community support" is the best thing going for public education, in the eyes of Patte Barth, director of the National School Boards Association's Center for Public Education.
Education
Family Engagement Summer Reading List
Parents and family engagement experts contribute to a "recommended reading" list for family and community members interested in improving their local schools.