Effective parent engagement at the school site level is an important element in the success of any K-12
school site. To this end APP staff are currently (as of 2/09) coordinating two FEF programs:
Parent University in Dixon (Anderson Elem, CA Jacobs MS)
Sacramento (Luther BHS).
Following is an abstract of the purpose and nature of the program. The UC Davis Academic Preparation Programs office is currently engaged in the development and implementation of two programs and partnership school sites.
Please call Mr. Harold Stewart-Carballo at (530) 754-5017 for more information on this program.
Abstract of the Purpose and Nature of the Program
Quote
"Schools need to offer the parents, guardians, and grandparents, especially those who have
not been to college, the opportunities to gain knowledge and be informed."
-Dr. Patricia McDonough, UCLA School of Education
Introduction
The Family Education Forum is a parent training and leadership development program for K-12 parents with children in the public school system. The goals of the Family Education Forum are:
To strengthen and increase k-12 parents knowledge of the public education system, develop organization and leadership skills. This is also a leadership development program designed to identify and nurture potential parent leaders at local schools and to better connect them to the academic mission of the school site;
To transfer general knowledge of organizing and implementing a Family Education Forum so that a knowledge base is developed and grown long after the UC Davis program staff have left the school site;
To adapt and design training and curriculum materials that reflect the diversity of needs in a community.
Project Description
The general timeframe of a Family Education Forum can be between 4 to 10 weeks (can be adapted to an annual schedule). During this time, a curriculum is designed collaboratively with parents and community partners who are brought together as a planning committee. UC Davis staff work with this committee to develop their planning skills. The group then works to provide information to interested parent and community members through the implementation of a Family Education Forum. The FEF is generally organized in collaboration with community based organizations and individuals who can provide their expert knowledge and experience to enrich the learning environment. Topics covered can range from how-to topics like group facilitation, program planning, conflict resolution, problem-solving and community organizing or focus very specifically on a range of topics of particular interest to parents with children in the local K-12 school system (eg: safety, parent/student rights, college preparation, home-school collaboration, accessing community education resources, understanding special education, understanding financial aid for post-secondary education).
Together with a broad range of very specific topics related to K-12 education a Family Education Forum program can provide high quality and relevant content that meets parent needs and concurrently works to engage parents as active participants in the educational process of their children.
Core Elements
Length of Program: 4 to 10 weeks (adaptable to an annual schedule), 2 ½ hours per weekly on monthly session.
Target Population: Reflective of the demographics of the community. A concerted effort is being made to bring community members who are underrepresented within their collaborative sites.
Class size: 25-200 participants – (depending of committee goals and facility size).
Eligibility Requirements: There are no specific eligibility requirements, however, parents or community members must have the desire and commitment to advance their skills and networks in order to improve the education of their children or influence policy change.
Cost: None to participants
Number of Trainers: Two, at a minimum
Childcare: Provided at no cost to participants.
Sample calendar
Meeting one / Reunion uno:
Title: Gangs and our children / Las pandillas y nuestros hijos
Day/dia: – Tuesday, May 21 / Martes, 21 de Mayo
Meeting two / Reunion dos:
Title: Community resources for your children / Recursos comunitarios para sus hijos
Day/dia: Tuesday, May 28 / Martes, 28 de Mayo
Meeting three / Reunion tres:
Title: Academic success, the schools, and our children / Exito academico las escuelas, y nuestros hijos
Day/dia: Tuesday, June 4 / Martes, 4 de Junio
Meeting four / Reunion cuatro:
Title: Your children and the University – meeting at UC Davis / Sus hijos y la Universidad – Reunion en la Universidad de California Davis
Day/dia: Tuesday, June 11 / Martes, 11 de Junio
Meeting five / Reunion cinco:
Title: Graduation dinner / comida de graduación
Day/dia: Tuesday, June 18 / Junio 18
The suggested schedule for these 2 ½ hour sessions is as follows: