Programs
Our programs fall under the following areas:
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Parent engagement through education, outreach and advocacy
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Parent leadership development
Our long-term goals center on academic success (e.g. graduation rates, rigorous courses, etc.). We also have a long-term goal of increasing the market share of public schools since we believe community involvement (often through participation via enrollment) is a key factor in achieving those long-term academic successes. We expect that standard practice at SPS will include meaningful, constructive, and diverse parental involvement in district-wide planning. And, we envision our parent leaders will join with others from across the state to demand educational funding and excellence, and hold our elected officials to their constitutional duty of "ample provision for the education of all children."
Parent Engagement
- Ambassador program—The Ambassador Program provides parents and community members (ambassadors) with a network and tools in which to recruit and involve new families, and promote and connect their schools within their neighborhood, cluster, and beyond as part of a city-wide public school community.
- GoPublic! campaign—Modeled after the successful programs of the San Francisco and Portland chapters of PPS, Go Public! helps public schools achieve higher enrollment, often by addressing preconceived impressions of schools.
- "What Parents Want"—CPPS identifies and advocates, both publicly and behind-the-scenes, for policy changes that are parent-driven.
- Parent Education—CPPS conducts open forums, assembles parent "study groups" on issues in partnership with the district (e.g. student assignment plan study group), and reaches out to parents through our web site and email distribution list (over 1000 people).
Parent Leadership Development
- Parent Leadership Institute (PLI), an established program for training parents that has achieved great success across the country by other chapters of Parents for Public Schools.
HIGHLIGHTS