June 2nd PREP Parent Advocacy Training in San Diego a Success!

Over 40 parents attended theevent and learned about putting their rights in the education setting into action and how to mobilize around their child’s education.

Source: PREP Staff

On Saturday, June 2, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law’s Parental Readiness and Empowerment Program (PREP) conducted Part III of its Parent Advocacy Training in the three-part series for the school year at Porter Elementary School in San Diego, California.  Over 40 parents attended the successful event and learned about putting their rights in the education setting into action and how to mobilize around their child’s education.  The training was presented in concurrent Spanish and English sessions in collaboration with the San Diego Unified School District’s Parent Outreach and Engagement Department and the Ballard Parent Center.  Parents participated in Mobilization Meetings where they collaborated with each other on important education issues such as increasing parental involvement, special education, and teacher/school communication.

In addition, volunteers from the University of San Diego Law School’s Advocates for Children and Education (ACE) facilitated the Youth Advocacy Training for middle school and high school students.  Middle school students discussed bullying, learned how to build positive relationships, improved their leadership skills, and crafted gifts for children in shelters.  High school students learned how to get a job, write a resume, develop a budget and also participated in mock interviews.  Almost 20 students participated in the youth training. 

During the workshop, parents also shared their personal stories and ideas on how to work together to achieve success for their children.  Thanks to the support of volunteers from Qualcomm and Troutman Sanders, several parents also participated in the Educational Consultation Clinic.  Parents discussed their child’s educational needs and created an action plan with the volunteer advocates.

Several participants who attended all three trainings were eligible to win a laptop.  The winner of the laptop was a high school student from San Diego High School who can now more easily work on her college applications as she enters her senior year.  Check out our PREP YouTube Channel for a video of the raffle winner and a parent sharing why she thinks parental involvement is important: http://www.youtube.com/PREPparents

PREP looks forward to continuing our partnership with SDUSD for the 2012-13 school year. Stay tuned to our website for details about our trainings in San Diego! 

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