Is a series of 6 hour workshops designed to prepare parents for their child’s academic success. Depending on the needs of the school Parent Academies are either implemented as a series of short 2 hour workshops or as a one day event.

• Understanding Parent Rights in the Education of Their Children program has been designed to assist parents in understanding their rights and responsibilities under federal education law (No Child Left Behind Act, NCLB).  Under NCLB, parents and schools have a shared responsibility and accountability for student academic achievement.  This workshop seeks to provide parents with the knowledge and tools necessary to successfully partner with schools, to advocate on their children’s behalf, and to ensure that their children receive the highest quality education to which they are entitled, and must have, to achieve lifelong success. 

• Educating English Language Learners assists parents in understanding the rules and regulations which apply to the education of English Learners in California.  The information helps parents navigate the various programs and assessments schools use with children who do not speak English.  Included in the workshop are strategies that parents can use at home to help their children acquire language skills, including primary language skills that transfer into English.  This workshop seeks to provide parents with the knowledge and skills needed to monitor and guide their children's education and English language development.  The long term goal for parents is that they can ensure their children acquire excellent speaking, reading, and writing skills in English so that they can master a rigorous curriculum and are eligible to pursue university or 21st Century career programs upon high school graduation.

• Best Practices: What to Look for at My Child’s School assists parents in understanding what inclusive decision making looks like at school, how the cultural assets of all families are of value to school staff and how to talk with teachers about the cultural assets parents bring to the table of learning.  Additionally, the program helps parents understand that there psychologist have identified forty critical assets for child development and are given tools to help identify which assets parents can influence and which assets are more influenced by school staff and community support.

• College Knowledge assists parents in understanding the importance of higher education and the academic preparation needed for their child’s success.  The information helps parents understand the California Master Plan, its purpose, the college going process and requirements as well as the financial aid opportunities available for their children.  This workshop seeks to provide parents with the knowledge and skills needed to monitor and guide their children's education as well as the critical role parents play as their children’s college advocate.  The workshop focuses on helping parents move from a perspective of ‘hoping my child attends college’ to one of ‘expecting my child to attend college’.