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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: families & the community.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
National PTA's New Stand on Opt-Outs Could Prove Timely This Testing Season
The group's January update of its position statement on assessments, its first in 35 years, includes its opposition to policies letting parents remove children from standardized testing.
School Choice & Charters
Half of Arizona's Students Would Qualify for Latest School Choice Proposal
Low-income children would qualify for a scaled-back expansion of Arizona's education savings account program under a bill before the state legislature.
Education
ESSA May Provide Opportunities for More Parent Engagement, Advocates Say
Advocates hope new language in the federal Every Student Succeeds Act will give more say to families and community members in decision making about schools.
Families & the Community
Could Virtual Home Visits Help Parents in K-12 Schools?
A new pilot program uses tablets to do virtual home visits with families with children in an early-education program.
School Choice & Charters
Chicago Sues Illinois Commission Over Decision to Keep Open Charter Schools
Chicago Public Schools wanted to close three charter schools and is now suing the Illinois State Charter School Commission for overturning that decision.
School Choice & Charters
Nebraska Group Vows to Fight Efforts to Start Charter School Law
A group called Nebraska Loves Public Schools aims to oppose efforts to bring charter schools to the state, even as another parent group advocates for a charter school law.
Families & the Community
How Do Student-Led Conferences Work With Parents? A Teacher Explains
Instead of sitting on the sidelines during parent-teacher conferences, students increasingly are joining their parents in meetings to discuss their academic progress.
Families & the Community
Parents Would Get Three Paid Days Off For School Activities Under Calif. Bill
California would be the first state to mandate that employers give paid time off so parents can go to school-related activities under state bill.
School Choice & Charters
Charter School Expansion, Vouchers May be Limited, Louisiana Governor Says
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is proposing cuts to the expansion of charter schools and vouchers because of a statewide deficit.
Families & the Community
New Parent-Trigger Bills Fail to Gain Traction in States This Year
Legislators in four states have introduced parent-trigger bills this year, but none of those proposals have moved forward so far.
Families & the Community
Group Works With Employers to Help Parents Navigate New Orleans Schools
A new nonprofit organization called EdNavigator has started in New Orleans to help parents with challenges in the school system as part of employee benefit packages.
Families & the Community
L.A. District Rejects Parent-Trigger Petition at Elementary School
Parents at 20th Street Elementary School sought to use the state's parent-trigger law to turn the school into a charter, but their petition was rejected.
Law & Courts
Will Charter Schools Return to Washington? Bill is Going to Governor
Governor Jay Inslee must decide whether to sign a charter school bill after the Washington Supreme Court ruled that the previous law was unconstitutional.
Families & the Community
Report: California's First Parent-Trigger School Leaves District's Oversight
The San Bernardino County school board will now oversee Desert Trails Preparatory Academy after the Adelanto school district failed to renew the school's charter.