29 Oct 2002
Academies Provide Roadmap to Parents to Help Improve Student Achievement
DALLAS–Parents will be able to return to the classroom as students to learn more about their child's education in the Dallas Independent School District through a series of parent academies beginning Nov. 2.
With the theme of Educate Yourself to Educate Your Child, DISD will provide parents with the basic information about the district and its programs, services and resources so that they are better equipped to help their children perform better in school, said René Martinez, special assistant to the superintendent–Dropout Prevention and Community Outreach.
"Parental involvement is a key component in the instructional lives of students," he said. "The overall impact it has on the academic success of students is invaluable."
The first series of parent academies begin Saturday, Nov. 2, at 8:30 a.m. The academies will be held at three central locations: Cesar Chavez Learning Center, 1710 North Carroll; Barbara Jordan Elementary, 1111 West Kiest; and L.L. Hotchkiss Elementary, 6929 Town North Drive. Parents should select a location nearest their child's school.
To help parents become active in their child's education, the academies will offer a smorgasbord of sessions. Offered in English and Spanish, some of the sessions will focus on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills exam, migrant and immigrant services, magnet programs, adult basic education opportunities and student code of conduct.
Parents will have the opportunity to attend sessions with titles such as: Help! My Child Needs Tutoring; My Child's Academic History; 100 Questions I Wanted to Ask, But Was Afraid to Ask; Does My Child Qualify for Talented and Gifted?; and Where Does My Child Go After High School?
The sessions are designed to increase parents' knowledge so they can reinforce, in the home, the importance of a good education, said Mike Ralston, executive director–Parent Involvement and Training.
"Parents who may not know how or have the resources to help their children will benefit greatly from these academies," he said. "With the information they will receive from attending these sessions, parents will be able to guide their children successfully through school and even help them prepare for college."
With different topics each Saturday, the other two academies, scheduled at the same time and locations, will be held on Dec. 7 and Jan. 11. Free child care will be provided. For more information about the parent academies, contact Dropout Prevention and Community Outreach at 972.925.3165.