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In the past decade, the realization of the need to build family and community partnerships has emerged as a major challenge in public education. We know that partnerships are essential to insure that students achieve at their maximum potential. Schools realize that the job of educating students cannot be achieved alone; and that a collaborative effort of schools, families and community agencies must be forged.

While parent and community involvement has always been a cornerstone of our schools, that involvement has usually been directed and guided by the schools. For the most part, "involvement" has focused on fundraising initiatives, volunteering and supporting school activities. We now understand that new roles for families and the broader community must include decision making, school governance and supporting home learning activities.

Unfortunately, the need to increase family and community support comes at a time when many families and communities are under siege, overburdened and dissatisfied with public schools. Despite the resurgence in parent involvement and a wealth of materials and resources, practice and attitudes have not changed very much.

The challenges of public education require collaboration within the Association and partnerships with families and communities. Parents, school employees and community leaders are key to making these connections. We have observed that when urban school employees, parents, human services providers, policy makers, businesses, and other community leaders join hands, students benefit tremendously.

The family-school-community training enables the association to examine its attitudes, actions and behaviors and work to insure that partnerships are mutually beneficial and rewarding to all participants. Participants who take the training understand that partnership building is not a quick fix and that long, hard work is essential to insure success.*

PGCEA began its Family-School-Community Partnership Program and training two years ago with a grant from NEA Center for the Revitalization of Urban Education (CRUE). Training was done with parents, administrators, and Association building representatives. The Association will, again this year, host training and forums to build the partnership. Contact PGCEA if you wish to participate or host a training discussion or presentation for your group or organization. Where possible, we will make reasonable effort to accommodate.

Visit this site again, as a calendar will soon show upcoming events.

*Preface NEA(CRUE) Family-School-Community Partnership