The Dropout Nation Podcast: Six Steps Toward Building Parent Power
On this week’s Dropout Nation Podcast, I offer six steps for school reformers and grassroots activists to expand the role of parents in education decisionmaking. The expansion of charter schools and other forms of school choice, along with initiatives borne out of the No Child Left Behind Act and Race to the Top such as Parent Trigger, offer great opportunities to truly put children and families at the center of education (and improve the lives of even the poorest children). But only if an infrastructure is built to help parents make the best decisions.
You can listen to the Podcast at RiShawn Biddle’s radio page or download directly to your iPod or MP3 player. Also, subscribe to the podcast series. It is also available on iTunes, Blubrry, Podcast Alley, the Education Podcast Network and Zune Marketplace.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
One Comment
3 Trackbacks
-
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by dropoutnation: The Dropout Nation Podcast: Six Steps Toward Building Parent Power http://dropoutnation.net/bpp #edreform #schoolchoice…
-
[...] decades working to expand options such as vouchers and charter schools — and ultimately, make parent power a [...]
-
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by PA RCEP Network. PA RCEP Network said: Six Steps Toward Building Parent Power podcast from @dropoutnation: http://bit.ly/9tI8Jj Good stuff! [...]
Tunya Audain
777 days ago
Parent Rights Need to Be Known
I think the 6 Steps are quite important as long as they are discussed and adopted or adapted in each school or community applicable. Flexibility and involvement in the steps are key to getting buy-in by parents and school personnel. Top-down won’t work.
However, I think we need a 7th step – recognition of parent rights. I don’t think much real or significant change will happen unless parents become aware of their rights in education, and at the same time become advocates for their children’s rights.
I’m really glad you are talking about parents as consumers because those parents who embody this consumer attitude (and this is often found in middle class families) are the ones who know how to traverse the system in pursuing their own and their children’s rights. Rights savvy comes naturally to some. For others, especially in poorer or immigrant families, rights should be articulated and part of school policies. As well as helping education achievement, a strong sense of rights helps social mobility.
Please see these rights we articulated long ago which are again gaining interest as we seek genuine education reform. Parent Rights and Their Children’s Education, the right to:
1. Choice 2. Information
3. Be Heard & Consulted 4. Special Assistance
5. Involvement 6. Safeguards
7. Appeal
http://genuine-education-reform-today.org/2010/04/06/parent-rights-and-their-childrens-education/