Arlington parents given the opportunity to learn about their children’s rights through PREP workshops and clinics.

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PREP is excited to expand to Arlington, Virginia, to provide parents with the tools to become stronger advocates for their children.  In partnership with Edu-Futuro’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), PREP offered workshops and clinics to parents of the high school students participating in ELP over the summer.  The first workshop on Tuesday, July 10^th, focused on accessing higher education for undocumented students and students with undocumented parents.  Parents and students participated in the workshop, asking numerous questions about requirements and financial aid opportunities.  Parents also selected the topic for the July 31^st workshop and settled upon learning more about the Latino student achievement gap. 

On July 31^st, PREP conducted its second workshop of the summer on the Latino Achievement Gap.  Parents learned about the value of a high school diploma and higher education as well as the critical importance of being involved in their child’s education.  While being somewhat aware of the disparity between Latino students and their counterparts, parents were provided with data to back up their observations and personal experiences.   Parents viewed graphs with differences in test scores, gifted and talented participation, and discipline records for Latino students compared to other students in Arlington Public Schools.  The workshop concluded with a discussion on what parents can do to inform themselves and other parents about the importance of utilizing this data to close the achievement gap. 

Before the workshop, parents had the opportunity to participate in the Educational Consultation Clinic where ten volunteers answered parents’ questions about their child’s educational needs.  Parents left the clinic with an action plan to implement on their own and confidence in their skills to better advocate for their children.  Volunteer attorneys and law students from Crowell & Moring LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law were trained on education law issues prior to the clinic in preparation for meeting with parents. 

Stay tuned to our website for details about future workshops and clinics in Arlington for the upcoming school year!