Developing Back-to-School Learning Opportunities for Parents

As students head back to school this fall, districts might be wise to also offer learning opportunities for parents.

Parent classes are a popular option in many districts. They help parents better understand and navigate the school system and discover tools and resources for meaningful involvement in their children’s education. Other benefits include:

• Helping parents gain a clearer understanding of education terms and jargon, so they better understand programs and policies.

• Connecting parents to a variety of resources, such as who to contact if they believe their child has a learning disability or where to go to sign up for youth sports or other activities.

• Providing parents with an opportunity to develop relationships with staff, so they can have more meaningful conversations about the needs of their child.

Some districts hold monthly parent classes in the evenings. Others sponsor a one-day parent academy on a Saturday, where parents can take a variety of classes over the course of the day.

Parents who have attended parent classes say they’ve learned valuable information, such as how to understand their child’s report card or how to help with math homework. A benefit cited by teachers and principals is that the classes have had a positive impact on parent participation and communication between parents and school.

Topics for Parent Classes

The success of parent classes depends on offering classes that interest parents. While there is usually an emphasis on academic topics, some of the most popular classes are hands-on classes on topics such as how to prepare healthy, inexpensive meals for your family. The focus is to help equip families with the tools and information they need to help their children be ready to learn and be successful in school.

Some possible topics are:

• Tips on effective parent-school communication. Help parents understand the chain of command and how to maximize their interactions with school staff.

• How to help your English Language Learner

• What to do if your child is being bullied

• Leadership opportunities for your child

• Great tools to learn mathematics at home

• Special Ed Parent 101, to help parents understand their role in their child’s special education program

• Paying for college — learn about the cost of college and the resources available to finance it

• Love and Logic tips that can help parents neutralize their child’s arguing, set limits, prevent power struggles, etc.

• What is STEAM (ScienceTechnology-EngineeringApplied Arts-Mathematics) education?

• How to complete the FAFSA to apply for college financial aid

• Homework survival guide for parents

• Transitioning from middle school to high school

• State tests – consider having parents take some of the assessments that students are required to take, so they can experience first-hand the level of rigor that is required.

How to get started

Funding is always a consideration when starting new programs, but it doesn’t take an oversized budget to offer parent classes. If teachers are asked to teach classes, then districts typically pay them an hourly rate to prepare for and teach the class. Some