Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.

Stronger Parent Involvement through Family Leadership in Education Projects – Podcast Episode 185 | Classnotes Podcast 185

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Classnotes Podcast (September 19, 2018) IDRA’s Education CAFE model takes parent involvement to a whole new level. Rather than limiting parents to be audience members or school volunteers, Education CAFE members take on projects to influence policy and practice. An Education CAFE is a parent group that is rooted in a community-based organization rather than in a single school. Its sole purpose is to collaborate with schools to improve the success of students in the community.

In this episode, Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed., director of IDRA’s Texas Education CAFE Network project funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, describes this critical third component of family leadership in education projects. He shares examples of projects some parent groups have taken on and how the process begins with a review of data about their school. Aurelio is interviewed by Michelle Martínez Vega, IDRA technology coordinator.

Show length: 12:04.

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Resources

IDRA Education CAFE – A Structure for Families Transforming Schools in their Communities, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.

Education CAFE – Community Action Forums for Excellence

Steps on How to Start an Education CAFE

Co-Leading and Co-Transforming Schools – School Administrators and Family Leaders in Education, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.

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Show Notes

  • Aurelio provides an overview of IDRA’s work in family leadership and engagement and explains why it’s different from traditional parent involvement.

  • Aurelio describes the three components of IDRA’s Education CAFE model:
    1. They are community based, with distributed leadership
    2. They work in partnership with schools
    3. They are grounded in substantive education projects

  • Aurelio explains why Education CAFEs are an “experiential learning laboratory.”

  • Aurelio shares how parents review educational data not just for the sake it, but in order to take action and help drive meaningful change in their school districts.

  • Aurelio gives examples of projects that Education CAFEs in South Texas have tackled in recent years, including a comprehensive and collaborative response following the change in graduation requirements introduced under House Bill 5.

  • Aurelio closes with uplifting remarks about Education CAFE parents and communities he’s worked with.