Resources for Parents

The Dignity in Schools Campaign (DSC) is building this webpage for parents and community organizers to access and share information about parent participation in schools and parent-led campaigns to end pushout.

As a parent, you are the expert on your child. You have a right to participate in decisions made about your child and your input is necessary to ensure your child's success. We hope this parent resource page will provide valuable information so that your voice, as a parent, will be heard.

We need your help! Please send us your ideas and internet links to informational fact sheets, research, websites and community organizations for parents. Take a look at what we have gathered so far.

 

Parent Participation Makes a Difference in Schools

Research says that parent participation in a child’s education is invaluable. 

  • Compilation of Research and Practical Guides on Family Involvement
    The Harvard Family Research Project has created a series of publications that demonstrate the value of family involvement. According to the research, it is important from early learning through high school. Here, you can download some of these publications. You may also visit the Family Research Project at their website: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/~hfrp/.
    • Family Involvement in Early Childhood Learning Can Increase School Completion Rates
      Summary and Link>>
    • Family Involvement in Elementary School Can Reduce Discipline Problems
      Summary and Link>>
    • Family Involvement in Middle and High School
      Link>>>
  • Parent Participation in Preventing Early Dropout
    Research Paper from the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition
    Summary and Link>>
  • Strategies to Implement Parent Involvement
    Fact sheet on “Creating a Positive Climate: Parent Involvement” from the Safe and Responsive Schools Project.
    Summary and Link>>
  • Fifteen Effective Strategies to Prevent Student Dropout
    Website of the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network.
    Summary and Link>>
  • Parent Involvement, Cultural Capital, and the Achievement Gap Among Elementary School Children
    Link>>>
  • The Importance of Presence: Immigrant Parents' School Engagement Experiences
    Link>>>

 

Parents Organizing for Action

“I have learned so much through my experiences as a parent. I want to share my story with others. I want to share my knowledge to make changes in the school system and to help other parents. I have a right to participate in how decisions are made in the school system. How can I do this?” Here are some examples of groups that are organizing parents to make change in their school systems.

  • Padres & Jovenes Unidos
    http://www.padresunidos.org/
    With roots in the struggle for educational justice, Padres & Jovenes Unidos has evolved into a multi-generational organization led by people of color who work for equality and justice in education, racial justice for youth, immigrant rights and the right to quality healthcare for all. Padres & Jovenes Unidos is based in Denver, CO.

Here are some guides for organizing parents in your community to research conditions in your schools and advocate for policy change

  • Bringing A Human Rights Vision to Public Schools: A Training Manual for Organizers
    http://www.nesri.org/programs/education_manual.html Produced by NESRI and CADRE, this manual is a resource for advocates, organizers, community members, parents and youth interested in using human rights as a tool for improving public education in the U.S. The manual includes information on basic human rights principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, handouts and exercises to develop campaign strategies, and information on documenting human rights violations in schools.
  • Schoolhouse to Jailhouse Action Kit
    http://www.advancementproject.org/ourwork/opportunity-to-learn/schoolhouse-to-jailhouse/resources.php
    The Schoolhouse to Jailhouse action kit is aimed at helping advocates organize campaigns against the over use of zero tolerance school discipline and the growing reliance on police and juvenile courts as disciplinarians. This action kit provides guidance on how to dissect the schoolhouse to jailhouse track by: Collecting information and data about school discipline policies and practices and Analyzing and organizing the data.

 

Advocating for Your Child

Parents are advocates and can help their kids fight unfair treatment at school.  Parents can make their voices heard by talking to their children’s school.

  • How to be a Good Advocate for your Child: Tips for Parents
    Tips for Parents>>>
    The Education Law Center is a non-profit legal advocacy organization in Pennsylvania that is dedicated to education. For more information, visit: http://www.elc-pa.org/.
  • The ABCs of staying in touch with your school
    English>>>
    This tip sheets is from the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center.  For More information visit: http://cpacinc.org/index.htm
  • Reglas para mantener el contacto con la escuela
    Spanish>>>
  • Advocacy Checklist: What You Can Do if A Child is Going to be Transferred to an Alternative School
    Link to Complete Research and Advocacy Guide
    Excerpt from the Dignity in Schools Campaign publications: Alternative Schools and Pushout: A Research and Advocacy Guide.
  • Safety First: A Reality-Based Approach to Teens and Drugs
    Produced by the Safety First Project of the Drug Policy Alliance, this educational booklet provides parents with the tools needed to foster open and honest dialogue around the risks and consequences of drug use.

Here are guides and tips for parents with children in special education.

  • Steps to Success: Communicating with Your Child’s School
    English>>>
    Here is a guide for parents who are new to the special education process. It provides tips on how to communicate and negotiate with the school to benefit their children.
  • Los Pasos hacia el Éxito: Como Comunicarse con la Escuela de su Hijo
    Spanish>>>
  • How to Talk So Schools Will Listen
    http://www.peatc.org/Fact%20Sheets/HowtoTalk.PDF
    Parent participation and involvement is a key element of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This tip sheet provides parents some pointers on improving communication with their children’s school.
  • Their future … our guidance. The IEP process at a glance
    http://www.iowaccess.org/educate/ecese/cfcs/doc/iep.pdf
     This booklet describes the process of creating an Individualized Education Program (IEP). It was created by the Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Children, Family and Community Services, in collaboration with Iowa Area Education Agencies and Iowa School Districts. For more information on the Iowa Department of Education, visit: http://www.iowa.gov/educate/.
  • Los padres como parte en el proceso del IEP
    http://www.utahparentcenter.org/docs/IEP_Book_Espanol.pdf
    This is an instruction manual in Spanish for parents. It includes a summary of federal laws that impact special education, information on assessments and evaluations for special education, a description of the IEP process, and tips for parents on how to resolve disputes.  The Utah Parent Center offers a variety of resources in English and Spanish for parents. Visit: http://www.utahparentcenter.org/.
  • Information for Parents about Positive Behavior Assessments for Your Children
    Fact Sheet
    Jordan, Dixie, “Functional Behavioral Assessment and Positive Interventions: What Parents Need to Know,” Pacer Center.
    Summary and Link>>

Click here for Resources on Your State including Know Your Rights and Advocacy Guides from states around the country.  Please send us links to information from your state!

 

Parents' Rights

We are just beginning to gather information about parent and student rights related to discipline polices and pushout. Below are some resources.

  • Parents' Rights under NCLB and Education Law
    The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law has a Parental Empowerment Program that works to empower parents with knowledge on the federal No Child Left Behind Act, state and local school policies, and other education and civil rights law.  Their website has several guides and other materials available for parents.
    http://www.lawyerscommittee.org/2005website/projects/education/education070907_2.html

Parents of children with disabilities are often unaware that they have rights. They can request help for their children at school. Also, parents should be included in all decisions made by the school about their children.

  • Parents Can Be the Key. A Handbook on Rights and Responsibilities in Special Education for Parents of Children with Disabilities
    Here is a handbook in English and Spanish which includes: an overview of the special education process; who may be eligible for special education services; the evaluation, assessment, and IEP processes; and tips on conflict resolution - English
  • Los Padres Pueden Ser la Llave. Una guía sobre los Derechos y Responsabilidades de los Padres de Niños con Discapacidades en la Educación Especial - Spanish

 

Get Involved with the Dignity in Schools Campaign

Help us develop this webpage. Tell us about your local campaign or website and share with other parents around the country.

Help us plan an upcoming conference in Chicago that will bring organizers, educators, youth, parents, lawyers, advocates and policy-makers together to discuss solutions for ending pushout.

Participate in or help us plan the next call in our National Tele-conference Series featuring panels of parents, researchers, educators and advocates discussing topics related to school pushout and effective alternatives.

Email us at info@dignityinschools.org