Kentucky and colleges resource


Cincinnati Schools Establishes Programs That Unite Educators and the Community

Cincinnati Schools' Parent Leadershipchildren."
InstituteOther educational professionals in the
This summer saw the creation of theCincinnati schools have also welcomes
Cincinnati Schools ' Parent Leadershipthe process and look to the success of
Institute. The program reflects thethe Lexington program to justify their
changing role that parents play inenthusiasm. Superintendent Rosa
public education. As Vanessa White,Blackwell argues that "decades of
the Board President of the Parents forresearch confirm that when parents are
Public Schools (PPS) stated: "The daysmore involved, student achievement
of bake sales are long gone. Today,increases." Cincinnati schools stand
parents need a new set of skills andto benefit from those decades of
knowledge if they are to realize theirresearch in creating a program that
full potential to impact studentclearly aligns the activities of parents
achievement and drive schooland teachers in order to make a
improvement." Organizations such asCincinnati public school environment
PPS work to align the needs ofthat provides the most comprehensive
Cincinnati schools with the resources ofprogram for students.
parents in order for both sides to workCincinnati schools are relying on a
together for the benefit of childrennumber of local and national partners to
attending Cincinnati schools.implement the program. In addition to
One of the models that the Cincinnatithe Pritchard Committee, Cincinnati
schools have been looking at is theschools will be working with the United
Pritchard Committee of Lexington,Way and Xavier University. These
Kentucky. The Pritchard Committeegroups hope to create Community Learning
established the Commonwealth InstituteCenters where parents can come for
for Parent Leadership and trained overtraining. Cincinnati schools are
1300 parents from a variety ofgrateful for the support from business
backgrounds in the ways that they couldand other community partners in order to
be productive in assisting the publicfund these Community Learning Centers.
school system. Cincinnati schools haveAmong the grant supporters are the
seen the success of the LexingtonKnowledegeWorks Foundation, the Scripps
program and have worked diligently toHoward Foundation and the Kroger
see if such a program could have aFoundation. All of these groups will
similar positive effect on parentalwork in conjunction to make the program
involvement in Cincinnati schools.as effective as possible for Cincinnati
Ms. White is eager to see how Cincinnatischool parents.
schools will benefit and expresses highTo start the program off, a pilot group
hopes for the program: "Expectationswill begin working under the direction
have been raised for students andof Zakia McKinney. Ms. McKinney has
teachers, and it's time for parents toworked as an Education Director at the
step up to the plate as well. ThisUrban League as well as an Executive
program will greatly enhance our abilityDirector of the Walnut Hills Churches.
to identify and develop parent leadersShe has been active in community
who can then engage other parents toorganizations for many years and looks
ensure that our schools provide aforward to sharing her experience with
quality public education for allCincinnati schools.



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