Parents

Education news, analysis, and opinion about how parents and other family members interact with schools and their children’s education
Andy, left, a first-grade student at Mount Pleasant Elementary School, works on his math homework with Sharon Francisco, an English learner teacher with Roanoke County Public Schools on April, 26, 2022, in Roanoke, Va.
Andy, left, a 1st grade student at Mount Pleasant Elementary School, works on his math homework with Sharon Francisco, an English-learner teacher with Roanoke County Public Schools on April, 26, 2022, in Roanoke, Va.
Heather Rousseau/The Roanoke Times via AP
English-Language Learners Ed. Dept. Releases New Toolkit to Engage English Learners' Families
The updated English-learner family toolkit is available in four languages and as a mobile app.
Ileana Najarro, December 8, 2023
3 min read
Happy African American elementary boy showing his family exam results with the red letter A.
E+
Student Achievement From Our Research Center Who's the Real Audience for A-F and Numeric Grades? Hint: It's Not the Students
Traditional grading systems help parents—as well as colleges and universities—get a sense of how students are doing, educators say.
Alyson Klein, December 5, 2023
2 min read
Woman finding her way to a happy smile icon in the middle of labyrinth like maze with school subject icons ghosted over a cloudy sky textured background.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
School & District Management 5 Mistakes Schools Make When Building SEL Programs
Experts weigh in on how to avoid parental and community backlash against social-emotional learning initiatives.
Arianna Prothero, November 27, 2023
5 min read
Hand holding out school report card with grades for test scores or school grades. Background with student silhouettes.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Families & the Community Parents Don’t Know When Their Kids Have Fallen Behind. Report Cards Could Be the Problem
Parents rely on report cards to gauge whether their kids are on track academically. But they might be misleading, a survey shows.
Caitlynn Peetz, November 15, 2023
6 min read
Photo of mother working with young son on his reading.
E+ / Getty
Reading & Literacy U.S. Parents Think Reading Instruction Is Going OK—Until They See National Test Results
Most parents also seem to favor phonics as an approach to word-reading, a new survey finds.
Sarah Schwartz, November 14, 2023
5 min read
A student applies a bandage after receiving a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from a nurse, at a vaccination station in Jackson, Miss., Feb. 16, 2022.
A Jackson, Miss. student receives a bandage on the arm after receiving a children's dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from a nurse, at a vaccination station in the city, Feb. 16, 2022.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP
Families & the Community Vaccine Rates Remain Down, Exemptions Are Up. What It Means for Schools
New federal data show that vaccine rates among schoolchildren have not rebounded since the pandemic.
    Elizabeth Heubeck, November 10, 2023
    4 min read
    Students make measurements to wood to add to a tiny home project during their shop class at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 13, 2022.
    Students make measurements to wood to add to a tiny home project during their shop class at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 13, 2022.
    Nate Smallwood for Education Week
    College & Workforce Readiness Parents Value 'Workforce Development.' Here's How to Get Their Support for CTE
    The ways in which schools and policymakers talk about career and technical education influences parents' support for it.
    Lauraine Langreo, November 8, 2023
    4 min read
    Close up ChatGPT official app icon on screen with blur effect applied
    Robert Way/iStock
    Classroom Technology Permission Slips to Use ChatGPT? Some Schools Say They're Necessary
    Concerns about students' data privacy have prompted some schools to get parental permission before allowing kids to use AI tools.
    Alyson Klein, November 7, 2023
    3 min read
    Students' cell phones are collected by school administration before the start of spring break at California City Middle School in California City, Calif., on March 11, 2022.
    Students' cellphones are collected by school administration before the start of spring break at California City Middle School in California City, Calif., on March 11, 2022.
    Damian Dovarganes/AP
    School Climate & Safety Why These Parents Want Cellphones Banned in Schools
    Educators say parents are often quick to push back on cellphone bans in schools, but this parent group is leading the charge.
    Elizabeth Heubeck, November 2, 2023
    3 min read
    Illustration of happy school children running on a bridge handshake.
    iStock/Getty
    Families & the Community New Research Finds a Crucial Factor in Reducing Chronic Absenteeism
    Just as strong connections with parents can boost students' academic achievement, new research shows the same is true in fighting absences.
    Caitlynn Peetz, October 23, 2023
    5 min read
    Close Up of Black Father With Mobile Phone And his Son Using a Digital Tablet Reading With Headphones At Home
    iStock/Getty
    Classroom Technology Parents Are Open to AI Use in Schools. But They Have a Lot of Questions
    Sixty-two percent of parents say in a new poll that they have heard little to nothing about how AI can be used in education.
    Arianna Prothero, October 20, 2023
    5 min read
    One person walking down stairs in motion effect photography inside building.
    iStock / Getty Images Plus
    School & District Management 3 Steps to Drive Down Chronic Absenteeism
    A consultant emphasizes that students and families need to feel a connection with school.
    Caitlynn Peetz, October 16, 2023
    8 min read
    Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington on Aug. 5, 2021.
    Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks at the White House on Aug. 5, 2021. The U.S. Department of Education has announced a series of grants for organizations working on parent education and family engagement.
    Susan Walsh/AP
    Families & the Community The Biden Administration Is Investing More in Parent Engagement. Will It Be Enough?
    The U.S. Department of Education announced $11 million in grants to support parent and family engagement.
    Libby Stanford, October 11, 2023
    4 min read
    Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters presides over a special state Board of Education meeting to discuss the U.S. Department of Education's "Proposed Change to its Title IX Regulations on Students' Eligibility for Athletic Teams" on April 12, 2023, in Oklahoma City.
    Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters presides over a state Board of Education meeting on April 12, 2023, in Oklahoma City.
    Sue Ogrocki/AP
    Reading & Literacy With Moms for Liberty Endorsement, ‘Science of Reading’ Faces More Political Controversy
    The endorsement from the conservative organization known for challenging books raises some thorny issues for the bipartisan movement.
    Sarah Schwartz, October 9, 2023
    5 min read