PSP
MALDEF PARENT SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
CURRICULUM OUTLINE
Session 1: Orientation
Introduces MALDEF as well as the PSP program goals and objectives. Director/Trainer presents information on
parent involvement research, and leads a discussion on the importance of parent involvement and how it relates to
student achievement. Participants review the school campus report card and district profiles.
Session 2: Parent’s Rights
This session covers parent’s legal rights in relation to classroom observation, their children’s school records, due
process in discipline policies, testing and access to information from a campus level to the district level.
Information is provided on categorical programs such as; Title I, Gifted and Talented, Bilingual, Special Education
and Migrant Programs. Discussion is held on improving parent involvement.
Session 3: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Facilitator leads discussion on effective parent/teacher conferences. Participants will learn to distinguish different
types of interactions with teachers. There will also be more discussion on rights and responsibilities of parents as a
community. Participants practice holding a parent/teacher conference through role-playing exercises. Guest speaker
is a teacher from elementary or middle school.
Session 4: Structure and Function of the School
The focus for this session is to familiarize participants with a snap shot of the local school campus and to understand
the school’s instructional program and available resources. Information is provided on the Principal’s role as the
instructional leader, the school budget and the school-site decision-making committee. A discussion is held on the
process for resolving a school related problem.
Session 5: The Structure and Function of the District:
This session is designed to help parents understand the educational system in this country. Discussion will take
place on school finance, budgetary process and how resources are allocated. Parents receive information on school
district as well as receive information about test scores, dropout rates, expulsion rates, graduation rates and the
number of students from the district who enter higher learning institutions. Invited speakers can be the
Superintendent of Schools and/or the President of the Board of Education or the Board of Trustees.
Session 6: Field trip to school board meeting
Participants attend a Board of Education Meeting
Session 7: The road to the university
The focus of this session is to help participants understand standards and testing. The Director/Trainer leads
discussion on required courses and other application requirements for college eligibility. Invited speaker can be a
representative from Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, (HACU), a university outreach counselor
and/or a high school guidance counselor. This session prepares participants for a university campus tour for the
following session.
Session 8: Field trip to a local university and financial aid
The focus of this session is to inform participants about the different ways higher education can be paid. The
emphasis will be on paying for college by obtaining scholarships and financial aid. The tour will also help answer
key questions such as: What is the right college for my child?
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PSP
Session 9: The Politics of Education:
Participants identify policy-makers at a local and state level. Information is provided on how to contact elected
officials and legislators. Facilitator leads discussion on current educational issues, participants select one current
issue such as accountability, vouchers or performance standards and organize a letter writing campaign. A
community leader or elected official will be invited as a guest speaker.
Session 10: Group Process
Information is provided on team building exercises and systematic decision-making. Participants discuss leadership
and facilitation and the importance of teams. Participants also learn how to develop an action plan. They will begin
their group projects, which will be presented at the end of the course during the Education Policy Forum.
Session 11: Facilitating and Conducting a Meeting
Participants will learn how to plan a meeting, set the agenda, invite participants to the meeting, organize the meeting
room, and publicize the meeting. An overview of Parliamentary Procedure and Robert’s Rules Of Orders is
presented. Participants are asked to fill out a meeting evaluation survey of the last meeting they attended.
Information is provided on effective communication skills for the facilitator. Participants enhance their
communication skills through role-playing exercises and activities.
Session 12: Making A Presentation
The focus of this session is to prepare participants to become trainers. Information will be provided on the different
types of presentations. There will also be discussion on grassroots organizing. Participants will plan a workshop
activity and make a presentation.
Session 13: Accessing the Media
The focus is on the purpose of the media and how to use publicity effectively. Participants explore what is
considered news, timeliness of information, components of a press release, and follow-up with contact person,
content of an interview, including voice and appearance. Participants will also learn how to prepare and present a
press release. A media specialist is a possible guest speaker.
Session 14: Responsible Leadership
This session provides information on grassroots organizing, recruitment strategies and how to organize and conduct
a community meeting. Discussion is held on the cycle of poverty as well as school and district policies such as
school vouchers, discipline, and social promotion. This session explores how participants can put into action the
tools they have learned during the training.
Session 15: The Education Policy Forum
Participants identify and invite partners in the community with representation from other parent groups such as the
PTA. Participants will be responsible for forming committees to develop strategies for planning, organizing and
implementing an Education Policy Forum. The focus of the forum will be to discuss local educational issues that
impact Latino students and to make policy recommendations.
Session 16: Reflections as leaders and members of our community
In this session, participants will revisit the definition of leadership. They will also discuss the parent leadership
alumni network and the implementation of their leadership. To explore in detail the next steps after the training is
concluded. Graduation logistics and/or updates are discussed during this session.
*Graduation Ceremonies And Presentation Of Certificates Of Completion
Participants assist the Director or facilitator in forming committees to fund raise for the graduation event.
Participants plan the graduation ceremonies, invite a keynote speaker, develop the evening’s program and send out
invitations.
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