This was my first year attending the Policy Innovators in Education (PIE) Network Summit “Chords of Change,” which was held in Nashville, Tennessee. 

I attended as a member through the National Parents Union (NPU). As a National Organizing Director, I hear from parents and our partners often about what they believe it will take to improve parent power in public schools. 

Sustaining and building strong partnerships is a top priority for parents. It should be a top priority for the school board officials, school leaders, district leaders, and policy influencers, as the partnership with parents is one of the most significant partnerships. 

I listened to parents and educational leadership within the PIE network nationwide. One common theme echoed was the strong sentiment that parents are tired of being told what’s best for their child(ren) without their input being solicited or considered. 

This is why the NPU slogan, “Nothing About Us Without Us,” rang so loudly during the gala. Everyone working in the space felt the urgency behind why we must come together to amplify parent voice. 

The starting place is organizing parents to have decision-making power in their community schools and their local school districts. Let’s tackle this immediate question: How do I, as a parent or small group of parents, get started? To get started in this work, parents should look for local parent groups and organizations that align with their target goals. If this doesn’t exist locally, parents and caregivers connect with organizations like NPU to get started. 

Parents also have to get comfortable with not settling for no! If disruption gets results, then parents have to start ringing the alarm. 

It’s time parents got a true piece of the pie! A true partnership between parents and schools should help parents to:

• Explore all options for the best learning environment for their child(ren)
• Continue education at home successfully 
• Gain access to quality after-school and out-of-school programming 
• Enroll in high-dosage tutoring 

These asks aren’t new demands from parents to schools and districts. Parents are speaking up and speaking out about what they expect from their partnership with schools and they are ensuring that all parents are heard not only a select few.

In the comments, share what you want to see for a true partnership between parents and school districts.