PAA’s Parent Online Toolkit for the WBD* movie and beyond
by pureparents
Parents Across America is a network of active parents doing the hard work of change in our public schools. We know that our schools need help. Knowing what to do is the problem. Knowing what works in improving schools is even more important.
We know that most parents don’t want to close their schools or turn them into charters. They want to improve their local neighborhood public schools by stopping budget cuts, reducing class size, de-emphasizing high stakes testing, offering a well-rounded education and strengthening parent participation.
PAA has put together a Parent Toolkit to give you some background information on the fictional “Won’t Back Down”* movie and some suggestions on how to get organized and help your children and their schools succeed.
1- Learn the facts about the “Won’t Back Down” movie
Want to know more about “Won’t Back Down” and the parent trigger laws that inspired it? Read these PAA materials:
- What Parents need to know: FAQ “Won’t Back Down” & Parent Trigger
- Beyond the parent trigger hype & propaganda: Just the Facts
- PAA founding member Rita Solnet’s review of the movie: What’s NOT in the Won’t Back Down Movie
- PAA on the parent trigger.
2- Demand a stronger voice in school decision making
In some cities, there are school based councils made up of parents and teachers that drive important decisions at the school level. In Chicago they are called Local School Councils (LSCs). Research shows that struggling Chicago schools have made much better progress under LSC leadership than with district intervention.
Here’s more about how this strategy works: Parents Across America on the Empowerment Parents Want: The LSC model for School Reform – A Real, Effective Voice in our Children’s Education
3 – Join with other parents!
You are not alone! Visit our web site, www.parentsacrossamerica, to learn more about our national network. Sign up for PAA’s mailing list here and weekly newsletter here to help you stay informed.
Consider setting up a PAA chapter in your area. We will help you reach out to other parents and support your local actions with fact sheets, position papers, media help, etc.Here’s how.
4- Know what works –and what doesn’t work – in improving schools!
Read PAA’s statement on” What Works and What Doesn’t Work.”
Read and share our fact sheets on effective school improvement strategies:
- PAA on Reforming ESEA
- Research showing NCLB Doesn’t Work and PAA Positions Do
- Why Class Size Matters
- Parents’ Rights and the Value of Parent Involvement
- Ignoring Poverty Doesn’t Work
- Why More Standardized Tests Won’t Improve Education
- Tying Teacher Salaries to Test Scores Doesn’t Work
- How Teaching Experience Makes a Difference
- Visit www.parentsacrossamerica for more resources.
Questions? E-mail us at info@parentsacrossamerica.org
