Get Involved!
As parents, guardians, and caregivers, you know how important it is to be involved in your child's education. It is a key factor in many students' success. At the School District of Philadelphia, we want to support and be an active part of your involvement. We have several organizations within the School District of Philadelphia. There are also external organizations you might find helpful.
Parent Organizations
in the School District of Philadelphia
Title I Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
215-400-4180
The PAC is comprised of parents from District and parochial schools. Title I PAC members work together to:
- provide input into the District's Consolidated Federal Programs Grant Application
- review and revise the District’s Title I Parent Engagement Policy
- participate and serve on the PA Department of Education’s PAC
- dparticipate and serve on the National Coalition of ESEA Title I Parents-Region III
The Title I Parents Are 'R' Equal Partners (PREP)
215-400-4180The District-wide Parents Are 'R' Equal Partners (PREP) Program encourages participation from our most under-represented groups; including limited English proficient parents, males, parents of low-performing students, and grandparents/caregivers. While membership in the Home and School Association or any other organized parent group is NOT a requirement, we encourage participation from all parent groups. Each school is asked to send at least one parent representative to quarterly meetings to gain information and offer turn-around trainings to other parents. The Title I Parent Scholar is allowed to serve in this role. Call 215-400-4180 for more information.
PARENT POWER...What Will You Do With Yours?
215-317-1044PARENT POWER is a group of sincere and committed parents/caregivers and community folks coming together for the sake of ALL children to partner with the District and its schools to help eliminate the academic achievement gap....What Will You Do With Yours? Call 215-317-1044 for information or to participate.
Parents Unified for Charter Schools (PUCS)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PUCSCity Wide Parent Group Connecting Public Charter School Parents. Share ideas, successes, challenges and best practices. Improving communications between the school district/SRC and the charter school community. Join our listserv by clicking here.
Philadelphia Home & School Council (PHSC)
215-400-4080The Home & School Council is an independent organization that serves as a bridge between principals,
teachers, and parents and community. Everyone can join the Home & School
including teachers, administrators, and members of the community but only
current parents of public school students can vote and make decisions
for the organization.
Learn more at www.philahsc.org
The Philadelphia Right to Education Task Force
215-400-5151
The Philadelphia Right to Education Task Force is a group of parents and professionals working together to benefit children and young adults with disabilities. They review s pecial education legislation and other legislation affecting school-aged children. They assist in monitoring and observing special education classes. Call 215-400-5151 for more information.
Parents United for Public Education (PUPE)
parentsunitedphila.googlepages.com
Parents United for Public Education is an independent citywide collective of public school parents who are focused on creating an open and transparent budget process that reflects the real input of parent voices and places a fiscal priority on academic achievement and accountability in the classroom. They believe that a force of vigilant and engaged parents are the key to substantive and sustainable education reform. Contact them at parentsunitedphila@gmail.com.
External Parent Organizations
PA Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC)
www.center-school.org/pa-pirc/
The Pennsylvania Parent Information and Resource Center (PA PIRC) provides training and consultation to urban, rural and suburban communities throughout Pennsylvania. Our priority is to deliver services to schools and communities that have families who live in poverty, minority families, families for whom English is a second language and families whose children have learning delays or disabilities.
Family Involvement Network of Educators (FINE)
www.finenetwork.org
FINE is a national network of over 8,000 people who are interested in promoting strong partnerships between children's educators, their families, and their communities. Membership includes:
- Parent leaders
- Graduate students
- Faculty in higher education
- School professionals
- Directors and trainers of community-based and national organizations
Learn more at www.finenetwork.org
National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS)
www.partnershipschools.org
NNPS invites schools, districts, states, and organizations to
join together and use research-based approaches to organize and sustain
excellent programs of family and community involvement that will increase
student success in school.
Learn more at www.partnershipschools.org
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
www.papta.org
Information and resources on how to help sustain local Parent Teacher
Association (PTA) units and councils and keep you up-to-date on local,
state, and national PTA happenings. For those of you new to PTA, learn
what PTA offers and how to start a PTA. We also help existing parent
groups to grow and become more involved, especially concerning issues
affecting children and youth.
Learn more at www.papta.org
State Parent Advisory Council
www.spac.k12.pa.us
The Pennsylvania Department of Education formed the Title I State Parent Advisory Council (SPAC) in 1990 to act
as an advisory board to provide input and advice to the Division of Federal
Programs on how to better meet the needs of Title I parents across the
state. Membership includes parents of children participating in Title
I and serves as the collective voice of Title I parents across the Commonwealth.
Learn more at www.spac.k12.pa.us