Superintendents, principals, and teachers talk about it. Many of them say they’d like to see a lot more of it. And federal law, in many districts, requires it.
It’s parent engagement—the goal of trying to help parents become more involved in the academic life of schools. Many researchers, policymakers, and school officials believe drawing parents and other adult caregivers into schools, and encouraging them to become more informed about curriculum, school activities, and students’ academic progress, is crucial to promoting student achievement. Yet many schools and districts struggle to engage parents in meaningful ways.
On June 21st, at 2 p.m., Eastern time, Education Week is hosting a webinar designed to help school officials, parents, and others learn more about the challenges that come with parent engagement, and about strategies that can help schools overcome those barriers. You can register here. Karen L. Mapp, of Harvard University, and Steven Sheldon, the director of research at the National Network of Partnership Schools, at Johns Hopkins University, will offer their thoughts—and then answer questions from our online audience.
If you’re new to the topic, here’s an Ed Week story I wrote a few issues ago, which provides background. So mark your calendars, and submit your questions.