PREP has completed its largest parent advocacy workshop on Saturday, October 8th at Porter Elementary in San Diego!

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PREP has completed its largest parent advocacy workshop on Saturday, October 8^th at Porter Elementary in San Diego! Interest levels were high. Over sixty-five participants attended the “Stand Up for Your Child Parent Advocacy Training.”  Participants were highly motivated, knowledgeable, and motivated to apply their advocacy skills to improve their child’s education.

Hosted in partnership with the Ballard Parent Center, this first installment in a three-part workshop provided dramatic information on the effect of parent involvement on student performance. Parents learned practical advocacy skills—including tips on self-education, dispute resolution, and communication. Parents participated in both English and Spanish sessions, while teenage children took part in their own advocacy training.

In addition, pro bono attorneys, advocates, and volunteer law students staffed the education consultation clinic to over 18 family members. Many had issues resolved. Others created detailed action plans. Volunteer advocates had to work extra time in order to meet the overflow demand for legal advice.

Many participants expressed appreciation for the program and expressed their intention of joining future PREP trainings. Many more said they would share information presented in the presentations. One parent, visibly emotional, said that she had been at the point of giving up before coming into this training. But she said this training was just what she needed—it gave her a way forward, and inspiration that parents could still make a difference. 

The next training will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2012, at Porter Elementary School from 9:30am – 2:30pm and will focus on parents’ rights and responsibilities.