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Parents Network - Overview
Parents are a light in their community!
What is Parents Network?
Parents Advancing Choice in Education, Inc. - PACE is a nonprofit, privately funded program administered by a small staff and a volunteer board.
The Parents Network (PN) was launched at the PACE School Expo on March 4, 2001. Its mission is to provide parents with information regarding all school options and assist them in knowing they are the “primary educator” of their children. Simply explained, the Parents Network is:
Parents helping parents get answers about education!
General Idea: Establish a group of parents of
diverse backgrounds from a representative number of participating schools to meet on a regular basis during the school year and thereafter. Some of the core objectives of the PN group are as follows (just to name a few):
- Knowing the importance of School Choice (public, private, charter, etc)
- Knowing how your child comprehends learning
- Knowing the local alternatives dealing with education
- Knowing the power of being a registered voter and actively using that power
- Knowing how to effectively work with the media and/or politicians
Questions:
- How would families join this important group?
- What would be the incentive for families to attend and/or participate?
- Should School administrators/teachers be invited to attend the meetings?
- What can the PACE Program learn from this group of Parents?
- What can the PACE Program share with this group of parents?
- How would the families benefit from this group?
- How can they learn from each other?
Parents Get the Knowledge, Parents Share the Knowledge!
Parents shared with PACE they wanted to understand the options available to them and know the appropriate questions/responses to ask teachers and/or administrators at their child’s school. The following are some of the frequently asked questions:
- What do test scores mean? Proficiency Test Scores are mandated by the State and indicate if the school is meeting the requirements. These standards have been documented since 1998. Achievement Test scores allows you to see pre and post progress of a child during that particular school year. Most charter and private schools administer these types of tests (at the beginning and ending of the school year).
- How much does private school cost? It varies, the average cost for private elementary schools is $3,000 annually – families demonstrating financial need may pay $500 to $2,000 of that cost either per child or per family.
- How much homework is necessary? Find out at the beginning of the year how much homework the educator requires – this could vary from teacher to teacher. Basic or average time required on homework is 1 to 2 hours – preferably at home. Monitor your child’s homework assignment(s) and if you have questions regarding them having too much or too little seek answers.
- What can I expect from the Teacher? Prompt responses to phone calls and clear answers to questions! What is expected is actually what you offer in return…RESPECT. Parents and Educators are team players, not always agreeing but focusing on the “best” for the child. Form a partnership and be respectful of their position as a professional. You take responsibility as the Primary Educator… education begins at home.
Parents are the strength of their community!
Resources:
Ohio Dept. of Education – www.ode.state.oh.us
PAVE – Partners Advancing Values in Education, 1434 West State St., Milwaukee WI 53233
The Institute for the Transformation of Learning – Marquette University Go to
www.schoolchoiceinfo.org to learn about: The Institute for the Transformation of Learning
Ohio Black Alliance for Educational Options
www.baeo.org
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