Include parents in school decisions, developing parent leaders and representatives. As part of our Kids Vote program, political candidates speak on issues like the school budget. We ask families to write questions, and this gives kids a sense of real issues. One year, our work actually helped raise voter turnout 8 percent. We asked her to talk about her partnership efforts.
Parents are a child's first teachers.
Educators have a responsibility to teach children, but we can't do it alone. Neither can parents. In order for children to succeed, everyone in the community has to partner together. First, schools should send a message to parents that they are welcome. Second, schools need to understand the community they serve, make sure they are visible, and be willing to connect with families in nontraditional places, like the library and community center.