Parents for Educational Progress builds a network of informed, engaged and organized parents around the state who are knowledgeable about education policy. Parents for Educational Progress participants are parents that are engaged in policy change and are equipped to communicate with other parents, school and elected officials and the media to create better education policy state-wide.
Parents for Educational Progress is a multi-part program that provides training in the following: 1. Policy and Organizing– Parents learn how the concerns they have about educating their children are directly related to local, state or federal education policy. Parents will learn the nuts and bolts of community organizing so they can expertly engage other parents.
2. Communication– Parents learn how to persuasively communicate with policymakers and other stakeholders through the use of proven techniques like the 30-second elevator pitch and a 3- minute testimony.
3. Media Training– Parents will be given the tools they need to effectively communicate with the media and get their story heard through interviews, letters to the editor and op-eds.
4. Social Media Training– Parents will learn how to harness the power of social media to start a movement and build supporters for education change.
Parents who complete Parents for Educational Progress trainings will join other CEAM supporters from across the state as part of CEAM’s action network.
CEAM, its members, and supporters feel strongly that when equipped with the right tools, parents are able to organize and ensure they have a seat at the table when local and statewide education policy decisions are made. This will ensure that the focus of education policy remains on the students and not the adults.
Anyone who is a resident of Missouri who does have or will have a child in grades Kindergarten through 12 can participate in Parents for Educational Progress.
Check out all the wonderful resources that we have for parents HERE!