Few people question the value of parents being involved in schools. But many school leaders struggle with traditional strategies that have little meaning or success. IDRA provides a broad, research-based inclusive approach to parent involvement in schools. In fact, IDRA’s goal is bigger than parent involvement in education, rather it is parent leadership.

IDRA La Semana del Niño Parent Institute
This interactive, bilingual institute is a forum for parents, parent liaisons and educators to discuss the leadership that families exert in education and their partnerships with schools. The next institute will be held in 2011, in San Antonio focusing on parents networking to promote school success. Let us know if you wish to be notified when the next institute is scheduled.

Resources on creating a family friendly school
Creating Family Friendly Schools: A Guidebook for Trainers – a research-based parent involvement program. Download the complete guidebook here or view each module separately.

Supporting Parents of Preschoolers – IDRA Classnotes Podcast Episode 73
Frances Guzmán, M.Ed., an IDRA education associate, describes how HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) prepares young children for the classroom and strengthens connections between parents and their children’s school.

Other resources for educators
IDRA Family Leadership Principles (web)

IDRA Family Leadership in Education Principles, bilingual handout (pdf)

IDRA Parent Leadership Model (web)

IDRA Parent Leadership Model – Four Dimensions, bilingual handout (pdf)

“Valuing” and “Deficit” Assumptions (web), bilingual handout (pdf)

WOW! Workshop on Workshops, Learn the art of planning and conducting workshops (bilingual, English/Spanish) – see materials, get info about training

Texas Education Agency NCLB Program Coordination (web)

NCLB Performance-Based Monitoring System, by Region 16 Texas Education Service Center (ppt)

Beyond the Building: A Facilitation Guide for School, Family, and Community Connections, activity handouts by Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (pdf)

An Administrator’s Abbreviated Checklist to NCLB - Parental Involvement, Texas Education Agency (pdf)

Title I No Child Left Behind, presentation (ppt)

Title I Parent Involvement Initiative, by Region 16 Texas Education Service Center (web)

An Administrator's Guide/Checklist to NCLB – Parental Involvement (pdf)

Developing a School-Parent Compact (pdf)

Parent Involvement in Every School "P-I-E-S" Manual (pdf)

Texas Statewide System of School Support (pdf)

Ten Components of a Title I, Part A Schoolwide Program (pdf)

IDRA Newsletter Articles (English) (web)

IDRA Newsletter Articles (Spanish) (web)

Other Publications and Links

IDRA Classnotes Podcast – conversational audio program with episodes on parent engagement