Parent and Community Action Plan

Are you satisfied with the programs in your schools? If you aren’t, here are some things you may do.

Take Care of Your Child First	Do whatever it takes to ensure your child receives a solid education Test your child’s math skills Tutor your child yourself Hire a tutor Enroll your child in a learning center Put your child in a private school Home school your child Single subject, multiple subjects, complete Display and maintain a positive attitude about education
Educate Yourself About the Issues	Learn about issues of concern in education Research the literature, talk with people involved, and correspond with others Learn about different education programs Ask questions
At the School Level	Become familiar with the textbooks and programs used in your schools Talk with your child’s teacher(s) Talk with the principal Apply/volunteer to serve on school site council
At the School District Level	Talk with district personnel—curriculum director, superintendent for elementary schools, middle schools, secondary schools, superintendent Talk with school board members individually Express your concerns at school board meetings Write to your school board members (see related links below) Advocate for rigorous programs Apply/volunteer to serve on textbook adoption or textbook review committee Request adoption of solid programs (recommend specific programs) Request that schools offer a real solid program as an alternative to reform programs if a solid one isn’t in use or adopted Write letters to elected officials and legislators (see related links below) Generate and circulate a petition (click to see sample) Run for a seat on your school board Identify, Endorse, and Campaign for school board candidates meeting your criteria
At the State Level	Become familiar with education standards in your state (soon likely to be the CCSS) Learn about your state assessments and the new assessments being developed by the consortia to test the CCSS Advocate for rigorous programs Become familiar with exemplary standards from other states (CA, IN, MA) Write letters to elected officials and legislators (see related links below) Write letters to state board of education members (see related links below) Testify before legislative education committees Testify before state board of education
In the Community	Network with other concerned parents & community members Join or start an advocacy group (beware well financially backed pseudo grassroots organizations promoting and supporting a reform agenda) Educate others and bring level of awareness regarding problems Organize a local conference/forum regarding education issues Become familiar with issues, experiences, and efforts in other areas around the country Develop website for local effort Write letters to the editor (see related links below) Inform local media Advocate for rigorous programs If an alternative program is available, let other parents know there is a choice Initiate a petition for a change in adoption or at least a good alternative program (click to see sample)
Other Measures	Campaign and vote against school levy and bond issues until desired changes are made Campaign for and elect school board candidates worthy of your support
Delphi Technique	Learn to recognize the Delphi Technique and ways to counter it. The Delphi Technique — What Is It? The Delphi Technique — How to Disrupt It The Delphi Technique: Let’s Stop Being Manipulated! The Delphi Technique. What Is It?Informed Residents of Reading MA
Edu-Speak	Ever wonder what that school administrator said? Learn to decode the language of the educrats. Edu-speak, the dictionary Education Terminology Every Parent Must Understand Education Buzzwords: Image and Reality by Kevin Killion Translating Educational Jargon by Phillip Paeltz
Taping Phone Calls and In Person Conversations	A Practical Guide to Taping Phone Calls and In-Person Conversations in the 50 States and D.C.
Additional Information for Parent Action	Dealing with Problems in Your Child’s Public School A Common Sense Guide Parental Rights in Education
Writing Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor	Moving the School Choice Debate Forward with Op-Eds and Letters to the Editorby George Clowes Senior Fellow at The Heartland Institute September 16, 2005 How to Write Letters to the Editor Tips on Writing Letters to the Editor
Writing Letters to Elected Officials	Tips on Writing Your Elected Officials Writing Letters to Elected Officials Section 1. Writing Letters to Elected Officials The Community Tool Box

Source: Mathematically Sound Foundation Taking Action

Provided for use here and modified with permission.

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