Inspiring and Equipping Parents

Parents are uniquely positioned to catapult their children’s education to the highest levels. They know their children best, and they care the most. And they have an increasing array of options for their children’s schooling, with approximately 15 million students attending schools other than their assigned public schools. Millions of others choose pre-schools every year.

Yet parents often lack the know-how to make the best decisions about their children’s educations and to help improve the schools and preschools their kids attend. Many are intimidated by their lack of expertise, and others who are well-informed need help communicating effectively with school staff. We need a large-scale effort to inspire and equip parents to play their central role in education.

The core of our work in this area is our book, Picky Parent Guide: Choose Your Child’s School with Confidence, published by Armchair Press in 2004, and a set of briefer “Quick Kits” available as downloadable PDFs. We’re also partnering with The Savvy Source, an outstanding new online resource providing parent-gathered information about pre-schools, to offer an e-book to help parents choose pre-schools.
Quick Kit: Choose a School for your Gifted Child
Quick Kit: Basic Tools for Choosing a School
Articles and Media Appearences on Choosing Schools
  Shopping for a School, Here's How to find the right fit for your elementary-aged child - whether you're moving into a new community or simply assessing your neighborhodd options,” Ellen H. Parlapiano, Scholastic.com, 2007.

“Which School Is the Right School? Five questions every parent should ask.” Appeared in numerous publications such as Carolina Parent Magazine.
“Parents Take Choice Driver’s Seat, But Few Have a Map,” Education Week, September 2004. Commentary by Bryan and Emily Hassel.
“Helping Colorado Parents Choose Wisely,” HeadFirst Colorado, October 2004."
Picky Parent Guide named “Must Read Book of the Year,” PPI 21st Century Schools Bulletin, December 2004.
“Parent 2 Parent: Information for picky parents about schools,” WCBS TV, New York City, February 2005.
“School Choice: Knowing What’s a Good Fit for Your Child,” Appearance by Bryan Hassel on National Public Radio’s The Parents’ Journal with Bobbi Conner, May 2005.
“Picking the Right School for your Child,” Tampa Bay’s 10 News, January 2005.
Effective Professional Development
  What we know and how to apply it.

Disconnected Youth Data

  Estimating the youth population ages 14-24 at risk of long-term disconnection.

Connecting Youth through Multiple Pathways

 

Explores the development of pathways to graduation and efforts to reconnect vulnerable youth to school, work and community.

Supporting Education Entrepreneurship
  New report offers nonpartisan solutions to open the door to increased innovation in education.
Investing in Charter Schools
  Guidebook from the Philanthropy Roundtable provides guidance for donors
School Turnarounds: Doing What Works
  Video interviews about the importance of strong leadership and motivating and redeploying staff in turnaround schools.
The Big U-Turn
  Education Next article explains how turnarounds work across sectors
Competencies for Turnaround Success
  Series of resources to help select leaders and teachers likely to be successful in school turnarounds.

 

Public Impact • 504 Dogwood Drive • Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-5102 • info@publicimpact.com