Conventional thinking on parent engagement

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Conventional thinking on parent engagement

• Back to school nights
• Parent teacher meetings
• Parents working
• Parents on drugs
• Parents dont care
• Saved from the perils of their community and
  families
• Cant communicate with teachers
• Low expectations for parents
• Parents are disengaged
• Teachers have all of the answers

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Racial justice frame on parent engagement

• Parents care
• Parents can be active in schools they need to
  feel wanted, welcome, and heard
• Historical and current barriers impact parent
  participation
• Parents and community are partners in learning
• Schools must make schools accesible
• Schools must support teachers in building
  relationships with families and community

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Address Institutional Oppression become an
organizer
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Organizing 101

• Dominant culture does not encourage involvement.
  Many people believe that their vote or voice does
  not matter
• People of color and women are made to feel
  powerless because of white supremacy and sexism
• People of color must face so many forms of
  oppression some times we must way what is the
  most pressing need that needs attention

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The Science of Numbers

• In order to get 50 people to show up when the
  issue is not hot, 150-200 names are needed.
• If the names are cold and the people are not
  familiar with the group or issue more names will
  be needed.
• Thirty percent or more of the people called will
  not be at home
• 15-20 of the numbers will not be good numbers
  25-30 will be no's 25-30 will say yes.
• Of those who say yes, only a small percent will
  actually show.
• Out of the 20 people talked to, 9 will say yes
  and 3-4 will show.

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Opportunities to Listen

• People must hear of something 3 times before they
  come
• Use contact as an opportunity to not just find
  out about your event but what is going on in the
  community
• If people do not show it is an excellent
  opportunity to get feedback on why. Sometimes
  this provides insight into what the community
  needs and wants.
• Asking questions about times of day that work,
  interests, strengths, resources creates an
  opportunity for better planning as well as
  developing a list of resources present in your
  classroom

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Developing your plan

• Racial Justice Reminders Outreach Notes
• Have I recruited families to help make contact
  with families
• Have I made contact with this family before
• Have I said something positive about this student
  
• What is the schools with this family
• How are students feeling about my class
• Have I communicated that every family is an
  important part of my classroom community
• Incentives/Support ( childcare, dinner, extra
  credit)
• Have I thought of roles/tasks that will help
  families feel in leadership

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