Replicating The Harlem Children’s Zone

I recently posted about the Request for Proposals published by the Department of Education for replicating the Harlem Children’s Zone.

GOOD Magazine just published a very good overview, including potential issues (and even an infographic) on this topic.

There is a possibility of Sacramento pursuing this possibility and, if that happens, I’m hopeful that the effort will look at parents as partners — not clients, and that it will work closely with neighborhood institutions.

Thanks to Alexander Russo for the tip on the GOOD article.

“DPS resource center helps parents, students connect”

I’ve written several posts about parent involvement/engagement activities in Detroit, including questions I have about what’s going on.

The Detroit News recently ran an article about one of the new parent centers there, and I have to admit I liked a quote from the director (which is in the second paragraph of this article excerpt):

Besides parent engagement workshops, the centers offer GED programs, employment training, job-search seminars, computer classes and college information sessions.

“The ultimate goal is to improve student achievement,” program director Reggie Williams said. “But we’ve got a lot of unemployed parents. That’s why I brought in a speaker from Michigan Works! and presented a resume workshop, because parents can’t take their kids’ education seriously if they’re out of work and trying to focus on feeding their kids first.”

“Engaging Parents & the Community in Schooling”

ASCD, one of my favorite professional development organizations, has just put out a call for contributions on the topic “Engaging Parents & the Community in Schooling.”

Here is their announcement:

ASCD Express is looking for short, 600 to 1,000-word essays on the theme “Engaging Parents and the Community in Schooling.” The theme description is below, and guidelines for submissions are here. Send us your submissions by May 26, 2010.

When it comes to parent and community involvement in schools, school leaders recognize that it takes staff time and sound organization to pull off these efforts, whether a school is hosting tutors, offering internships, or running a parent center that helps strengthen learning and family life. What kinds of initiatives work well to harness family and community resources? How do they get funded? What is the payoff for students but also for the wider community? We welcome stories about innovative programs that break down the barriers between school and community and provide mutual enrichment for all concerned.

My Best Posts On Parent Engagement So Far This Year

Last December, I posted My Best Posts & Articles About Building Parent Engagement In Schools — 2009, a compilation of what I thought were the most useful posts in this blog last year.

As we near the end of this school year, I thought readers might be interested in hearing which posts I’ve written since that time might be worth reviewing.

Here are My Best Posts On Parent Engagement So Far This Year:

Parent/Teacher Home Visit Project

“School Matters: Parents Must Be Key to Education Reform”

“Home Libraries Provide Huge Educational Advantage”

New Study Shows That Paying Families To “Engage” In Schools Doesn’t Work

“Hybrid” Teachers & Engaging Parents

Can The Brookings Institution Really Be That Clueless?

Profiles in Family, School, and Community Engagement

Parent Engagement Interview

Is Developing Race-Specific Parent Groups Really The Way To Go?

“A Community-Based Relational Approach to Parent Engagement in Schools” Article Available Free Now

How NOT To Communicate With Parents

Latest Assessment Results From Family Literacy Project

Follow-Up To Lt. Governor’s Comments

Book Highlights Importance Of Parent-Community Ties

Will Somebody Tell Secretary Duncan’s Staff That There Are “Regular” Public Schools Engaging Parents, Too?

The “Parent Trigger” Comes To California….Unfortunately

Principal Organizes For Neighborhood Safety

A “Must-Read” For Anybody Interested In Parent Engagement In Schools

Feedback is welcome.

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You might also want to explore the 400 other “The Best…” lists I’ve compiled.

A “Must-Read” For Anybody Interested In Parent Engagement In Schools

Last week, Anne Henderson, the premiere researcher and writer on parent involvement/engagement issues in the United States, testified before a U.S. Senate hearing on the the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

The Senate has just posted her testimony. It shares a great list of concrete public policy steps that can be taken to encourage parent engagement in schools.

“Promise Neighborhoods” Competition Begins

The Department of Education announced the opening of the Promise Neighborhoods competition today.

This is a $10 million effort to replicate the Harlem Children’s Zone in twenty other communities.

As I’ve written before, I think the HCZ does great work, though I have questions about how they may relate to parents and local institutions.

I hope the groups that are ultimately funded will view parents more as partners and not as clients.