MPS launches new parental involvement workshop series | News

Montgomery, Ala. Montgomery Public Schools’ School Improvement Grant Office will launch a new parental involvement workshop series aimed at equipping parents and community members with strategies to increase student achievement.

The workshops are for parents of students who attend schools that feed into Lanier and Lee High schools. The first of the workshops in the “Parenting for Student Success” series will be held on October 11 at 6 p.m. at Lanier High School, and October 12 at 6 p.m. at Lee High School.

The featured presenter for the workshops is William Jenkins, a nationally-known educator and presenter, and educational diversity consultant based in St. Louis, Missouri. Jenkins is the author of seven books, including A Student's Guide to Success in School, What’s Missing in the Education of African-American Children: The Real Reasons Behind the Gap and Parenting Toward School Success.

“The purpose of this workshop series is to give parents practical strategies they can use at home to reinforce what is taught at school. Our goal is to increase student achievement. Parental involvement is critical to accomplishing that,” said Dr. Julius Shanks, MPS School Improvement Grant Director.

“Extensive research has shown that students achieve more in school when their parents are involved in their education. Parental involvement not only enhances academic performance, but it also has a positive influence on a student’s attitude toward school and their behavior,” said Shanks.

Workshops will be held throughout the year. Future topics include strategies for improving math and reading skills, setting academic goals, preparing students for college, building character in children, conflict resolution skills and time management.

For more information about the parental involvement workshop series, please call Marcus Roberts at (334) 223-6863 or Dr. Julius Shanks at (334) 223-6731.

Information Source: Montgomery Public Schools