FIS advocates on public policy issues that affect the ability of parents to engage in their children’s education and that affect children’s ability to succeed in college, career, and life. Through advocacy efforts, FIS promotes: Parent Engagement, Opportunities for English Learners, Access to College, Access to Quality Preschools, Community (Full-Service) Schools, and Family Literacy. FIS has led and participated in multiple campaigns and collaborations to promote these values, including:
Since 2004, FIS has served on the steering committee of Communities for Educational Equity (CEE), a coalition of over twenty community-based organizations, civic leaders, and universities. CEE seeks to mobilize the Los Angeles community toward ensuring that all students who graduate from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) successfully complete a rigorous and relevant curriculum that prepares them for success in college and the 21st century workforce.
In response to a gross disparity in the graduation and college-going rates of Latino and African American students in Los Angeles, Families In Schools created the Schools We Deserve campaign to inform policy makers, educators, community leaders and parents about two important strategies essential to improving Los Angeles’ low-achieving high schools: providing all students the A-G college preparatory curriculum and creating smaller learning communities.
Supported by the Annenberg Foundation, FIS published the Schools We Deserve policy brief and informational pamphlets for parents that helped to mobilize thousands of parents, students, and community leaders across the city to support an A-G curriculum in Los Angeles Unified School District high schools.
Supported by the California Community Foundation and the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, the Preschools We Deserve Toolkit is a Families In Schools communications effort that will be used by parents and other stakeholders to promote access to quality preschools for children in Los Angeles County. The toolkit will be published and available to the public in early 2009.
The toolkit will include: Tips for Parents, an Advocacy Guide and a Policy Brochure.
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