Key Idea Parent liaisons work with teachers, administrators, and parents to coordinate and advocate for family involvement to help students achieve.

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Role of the parent liaison

• Match parents with teachers and with volunteer opportunities.
• Conduct workshops with parents to help them understand how to support their children’s learning.
• Translate school announcements and letters.
• Respond to the needs and concerns of families and school staff.

Strategies for SEAs

• Provide resources to schools that describe the role of parent liaisons in schools.
• Offer specific models that are effective in other schools and districts.
• Help school and district staff understand the relationship between the parent liaison position and student academic achievement.
• Provide opportunities to network with other educators who are utilizing parent liaisons in their schools.

Resources

All Your Parents - Part 6: Develop Leaders and Mentors from the National Center for Family Literacy

Henderson, A. (2002). No Child Left Behind: What’s in it for parents? Arlington, VA: Parent Leadership Associates.

Henderson, A., Mapp, K., Johnson, V., & Davies, D. (2007). Beyond the bake sale: The essential duide to family/school partnerships. New York: The New Press.

Hernandez, N. (2008, March 13). Reaching out, making connections: School liaisons bridge parents’ education and language gaps. The Washington Post, p. PG01. Retrieved May 19, 2008, from www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/12/AR2008031202285.html

Howland, A., Anderson, J., Smiley, A., & Abbott, D. (2006). School liaisons: Bridging the gap between home and school. School Community Journal, 16, 47-68. Retrieved May 19, 2008, from www.adi.org/journal/fw06/HowlandAndersonSmileyAbbottFall2006.pdf

Moles, O. (Ed.). (1996). Personal Contacts. Reaching all families: Creating family-friendly schools. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Education. Retrieved June 25, 2008, from www.ed.gov/pubs/ReachFam/perscon.html

San Diego Unified School District. (2006). Fact sheet: Parent academic liaisons (PALs). Retrieved July 16, 2008, from www.sandi.net/comm/factsheets/pals.pdf

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