The entire association consists of 225 staff members and many volunteers. The state offices develop, coordinate, and implement programs. Parent and community involvement. In Chicago, school staff work with students and parents to identify academic and personal goals and to provide the support necessary to achieve these goals. After-school social activities play an important role in developing a trusting relationship between parents and teachers.
Parents often accompany teachers to workshops and conferences and then report back to other parents.
The students and their parents, teachers, and counselors sign contracts that address behavior modification through individual goals. The goal is to create a network of parents who are actively involved in their children's education and in school decision making. This staff development extends beyond the three schools involved in tutoring and enrichment programs to about 10 public schools, which pay to have their teachers participate in staff development activities. Teachers earn continuing education credits for attending the workshops. Schools may be asked to provide all or some of the funding.