Chapter 1: Introduction to Family Leadership in Education
This video defines family leadership in education and describes its benefits. 5:15 min.
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Chapter 2: Authentic Outreach
See how authentic family outreach differs from traditional ideas of parent outreach. And get specific strategies for implementing authentic outreach. 4:30 min.
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Chapter 3: The Six Principles of Family Engagement
Explore the six principles of creating meaningful family leadership in education. 4:52 min.
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Chapter 4: School Strategies for Family Engagement
Get some strategies for schools that support family leadership in education which is the key path for families to influence policy and practice. 5:43 min.
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Chapter 5: Education CAFE Overview
Find out how Education CAFEs work and hear from members on how it has helped them and their schools. 3:08 min.
See Chapter 5 & Video
Family Engagement for School Reform – Literature Review
Collaboration and building common ground between schools and their communities are central to developing family and community engagement practices that work. This includes resolving issues faced by communities of color who have been historically excluded by traditional parent engagement models.
This literature review by the IDRA EAC-South presents the latest material on building capacity at the top, eliminating assumptions and stereotypes, engaging immigrant and low-income families, creating a school culture that values diverse families, fostering family empowerment, working with community-based organizations, relationship building and effective family engagement models.
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6 Principles for Family Leadership in Education – Infographic
Family and community engagement in education is critical to school success in providing academic excellence and preparation for college of all students. IDRA’s model for family leadership involves building strong parent-educator partnerships to improve schools and raise students’ academic achievement.
See Infographic
IDRA Education CAFE –
A Structure for Families Transforming Schools in their Communities
by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
An Education CAFE (Community Action Forum for Excellence) is a parent group that is rooted in a community-based organization, rather than in a single school. Its sole purpose is to collaborate with schools to improve the success of students in the community. IDRA’s Family Leadership in Education principles assert that families are the strongest long-term advocates for quality public education. When families are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, their leadership can lead to transformational change that benefits all children. This article outlines the progression of Education CAFEs.
See Article
Liderazgo Familiar Intergeneracional
Intergenerational Family Leadership as a New Paradigm of Family Engagement
by Aurelio Montemayor and Nancy Chavkin, for VUE Voices in Urban Education
Comunitario projects in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley offer a community-based alternative to the traditional PTA model, fostering the participation and collective leadership of youth. (Note: The Comunitario name changed to Education CAFE.)
See Article
Hear Classnotes Podcast episode #167- Intergenerational Family Leadership for Schools
5 Steps on How to Start an Education CAFE – Infographic
An Education CAFE (Community Action Forums for Excellence) is a parent group that is rooted in a community-based organization, rather than in a single school. Its sole purpose is to collaborate with schools to improve the success of students in the community. Learn more about IDRA’s Education CAFE work.
See Infographic in English and Spanish
Families Using Data for School Improvement
IDRA’s model family engagement emphasizes parents’ ability to lead and partner with schools to improve the education they provide. A key element of the model is that groups of parents and community members examine data and then take action on a specific project. Every community is different, and the concerns of one are not necessarily the top concerns of another. So, it is critical that each project be identified and carried out by the community it affects.
See Video: Communities Using Data
See Article: How to Use Actionable Education Data to Strengthen Your School
See Sources of Education Data List
See Sources of Education Data List
Hear Podcast Episode 146 – Building Parent Voice for Action
Classnotes Podcast Episodes on Family Engagement
IDRA has produced a number of podcast episodes on family engagement. Below are a few highlights focused on the Education CAFE (formerly called PTA Comunitario) process and successful strategies.
Hear Podcast Episode 174 – Authentic Family Engagement through Education CAFEs
Hear Podcast Episode 144 – PTA Comunitarios are Born in their Communities
Hear Podcast Episode 148 – PTA Comunitarios Focus on Strengthening their Schools
Hear Podcast Episode 185 – Stronger Parent Involvement through Family Leadership in Education Projects
Hear Podcast Episode 156 – Community Expects College Prep for All
Training Kit Series
IDRA created a series of packages that schools can use in sessions with families. Topics include:
- ESSA Requirements for Schools and Parent Involvement – Training Kit
- Community-Based Parent Involvement – Training Kit
- Public Money for Public Schooling – Training Kit
- Texas Graduation Requirements and Opportunities – Training Kit
- Career Awareness for College Planning – Training Kit
See training kits
Annual IDRA La Semana del Niño Parent Institute
Grounded in our unique model of family leadership in education, the Annual IDRA La Semana del Niño Parent Institute is an event where families lead each other in advocating for equitable and excellent education in their communities.
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