Beat the Odds "Parents as Partners Program" Paying Dividends at Maricopa County Public Schools

PHOENIX – June 4, 2009 – The "Buck stops here" approach in education is being abandoned by principals at many public schools throughout Maricopa County. In its place, a culture of collaboration is being adopted – a culture where staff and community members participate in the problem-solving process.

One important ingredient discovered during this process has been the importance of parent liaisons.  Parent liaisons’ primary duty is ensuring parents attend and participate in school events. The Beat the Odds Parents as Partners Program provides parent liaisons with the knowledge and skills they need to actively engage parents in improving their children’s academic performance.

During the 2008-2009 academic year, 40 representatives from 15 Maricopa County schools completed the Parents as Partners training program. All were from schools participating in the Beat the Odds School Partners Program. The group included school social workers, counselors and parent coordinators, as well as school liaisons.

The training developed participants’ understanding of the state testing program and test results; provided practical information about learning and study skills that empowered parents; instructed them in the six Beat the Odds keys to success their schools and provided additional, valuable information.

According to Pat Andazola, the Parents as Partners training leverages the strong, trusting, one-on-one relationships the liaisons often have with the students’ parents. The retired K-8 principal is a Beat the Odds School Partners Program mentor and a member of the Parents as Partners curriculum committee.

"(The parent liaison) is in a position to guide parents to develop their knowledge and skills in becoming actively engaged parents, not only in day-to-day school functions, but in their child's learning," she said.

Maria Paredes, who is responsible for meeting all federal and state parental involvement requirements for the Creighton Elementary School District, feels the effort has great potential. Two of the district’s 10 parent liaisons participated in the 2008-2009 Parents as Partners Program.

 "There is a lot of responsibility in creating parent involvement in schools," she commented. "So far schools have not been able to meet these demands because they have very little knowledge of how to create effective involvement. This is a great first step."

Andazola echoed the sentiment. "Training opportunities are available for parents, but very few exist for parent liaisons," she said. "Parents as Partners provides training that oftentimes the principal does not have the time to provide."

An updated and enhanced version of the Parents as Partners training will be offered during the 2009-2010 school year to Beat the Odds School Partners.