Parents

Education news, analysis, and opinion about how parents and other family members interact with schools and their children’s education
A know-your-rights flyer rests on a table while immigration activist, Laura Mendoza, speaks to the Associated Press' reporter at The Resurrection Project offices in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood on June 19, 2019. From Los Angeles to Atlanta, advocates and attorneys have brought civil rights workshops to schools, churches, storefronts and consulates, tailoring their efforts on what to do if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers show up at home or on the road.
A know-your-rights flyer rests on a table while immigration activist, Laura Mendoza, speaks to the Associated Press' reporter at The Resurrection Project offices in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood on June 19, 2019. Immigration advocates advise schools to inform families about their legal rights as uncertainty remains over how far-reaching immigration enforcement will go under a second Trump administration.
Amr Alfiky/AP
Federal Can Immigration Agents Make Arrests and Carry Out Raids at Schools?
Current federal policy says schools are protected areas from immigration enforcement. That may soon change.
Ileana Najarro, December 11, 2024
9 min read
The Supreme Court is pictured, June 30, 2024, in Washington.
The Supreme Court is pictured, June 30, 2024, in Washington. The court on Monday declined to hear a case about a school district’s policy to support students undergoing gender transitions.
Susan Walsh/AP
Law & Courts Supreme Court Won't Take Up Case on District's Gender Transition Policy
The U.S. Supreme Court declined an appeal from a parents' group contending that a district's policy on gender support plans excludes them.
Mark Walsh, December 9, 2024
4 min read
A photograph of the back of a Hispanic family (mother, daughter, son, and father) walking together in a school parking lot. Both kids are wearing winter hats and carrying bookbags on their backs.
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Families & the Community Language Barriers Keep Parents From Attending School Activities, New Data Show
New data show how big the gap in parental involvement is between Spanish- and English-speaking parents.
Ileana Najarro, December 4, 2024
3 min read
Illustration of laptop with eye on screen.
iStock/Getty
Classroom Technology From Our Research Center Parents Are Virtually Monitoring Their Kids in Class. Teachers Aren’t Happy
Thirty-seven percent of teachers, principals, and district leaders said in a survey that this is happening in their schools.
Arianna Prothero, November 21, 2024
4 min read
Latina mother and son meeting with school teacher.
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Families & the Community How Schools Can Involve English Learners' Parents in Their Kids' Learning
Parents want their children to succeed academically, but not all know how to support them, according to experts.
Ileana Najarro, November 18, 2024
4 min read
English Learners Webinar Family and Community Engagement: Best Practices for English Learners
Strengthening the bond between schools and families is key to the success of English learners. Learn how to enhance family engagement and support student achievement.
November 14, 2024
Close up of student's hands on their desk in the classroom and holding a smartphone
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Classroom Technology From Our Research Center 'Mom Is Texting': Teachers Say Parents Are a Daily Distraction During Class
Many parents feel the need to be in constant contact with their children.
Arianna Prothero, October 25, 2024
4 min read
A group of ethnically diverse Kindergarten children sit on the floor of their classroom, cross-legged and dressed in casual clothing.  They are all looking up at their teacher who is holding out a storybook and reading to them.  They are all smiling and listening attentively.
iStock/Getty
Early Childhood How Kindergarten 'Redshirting' Is Changing
Redshirting was once largely a choice made by higher-income parents of white boys.
Caitlynn Peetz, October 23, 2024
5 min read
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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How Clark County Reduced Chronic Absenteeism by 9%
As someone who’s been deeply involved in the fight to reduce chronic absenteeism in the Clark County School District (CCSD) in Nevada, I’m pleased to share how our whole-community approach is bringing students back to the classroom and improving school culture. Chronic absenteeism has plagued schools across the nation, so this challenge isn’t unique to our district—which serves a diverse and growing student population in Las Vegas and its surrounding communities—but we are using some unique tools to address it. As a result we’re seeing a shift: our district has reduced chronic absenteeism by an estimated 9% in just one academic year.
Content provided by National University
Illustration of a silhouette of a person standing on a white path that drops off into a cliff. The other side of the cliff shows a flag on the path where it picks up.
iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being Are Schools Responsible for Students Who Avoid School? A New Lawsuit Says Yes
A class action argues that the New York City schools aren't adequately supporting students with disabilities who are school-avoidant.
Brooke Schultz, October 10, 2024
5 min read
Image of an empty desk on a red background.
Duong Le/iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being Are Parents Giving Their Kids Too Many Mental Health Days?
Schools and parents need to work together to encourage kids not to take too many mental health days, experts say.
Arianna Prothero, October 3, 2024
6 min read
Photograph of a hand holding a cellphone showing text messages from "mom" with "Did you remember to take your lunch today?" and "Don't forget you have music lessons after school." The background is a blurred open book.
Kathy Everett for Education Week
Families & the Community From Our Research Center What Educators Have to Say About Parents Texting and Calling Their Kids During School
Teachers, principals, and district leaders are increasingly frustrated by parents who do not respect student cellphone restrictions.
Kevin Bushweller, September 30, 2024
1 min read
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Families & the Community Webinar
Family Engagement: The Foundation for a Strong School Year
Learn how family engagement promotes student success with insights from National PTA, AASA and leading districts and schools.  
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump dances with Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice during an event at the group's annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump dances with Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice during an event at the group's annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Federal Moms for Liberty Co-Founder Would Be 'Honored' to Be Trump's Education Secretary
The conservative education activist is "as much in the mix as anyone," according to a former GOP congressional staffer.
Alyson Klein, September 25, 2024
8 min read