Here’s Why We Must Open Schools to Authentic Parent Partnership

When I taught first grade on the Navajo Nation, I’ll never forget when one of my fellow teachers—now my wife—wanted to host an event that…

The Three R’s of Parents Who Want to Raise Free Children

A parent’s power to determine the right to choose where, when and what their children learn is only one power among many that create what I call parental sovereignty—a concept I believe is rooted in three essential R’s: roles, responsibilities and rights. …

White Teacher, Here’s How You Can Successfully Partner With Black Families

The show was going really well. We were in Pittsburgh, taping a live 8 Black Hands podcast episode at the State of Black Learning Conference,…

Back to School, Back to Basics With Parent-Teacher Partnerships

The smell of education is in the air. Parents have bought uniforms and school supplies are packed up and ready to go. Teachers have completed…

Here Are 8 Things That Make a Good School

Educators have difficulty agreeing upon what makes a “good school.” My thoughts about this topic have continued to change as I progressed through K-12, earned…

How a Dozen Immigrant Parents Organized to Transform Literacy in Their District

Parents’ love for their children is the single greatest—and most underutilized—natural resource in education. I learned this firsthand as a son. My parents escaped political…

Six Ways Parents Can Help Kids Learn Over the Summer Break

Summer is not just a two-month countdown to sending the kids back to school. You only get 18 summers total with your “babies,” and half…

A Dress Code for Parents Has to Be at the Bottom of the List of Education Priorities

Some of these school administrators have their priorities messed up! Just last week, two students were expelled from their Christian school 30 days before the…

I Know I’ve Made the Best Choice for My Son When School Feels Like Family

Gifts come in all different shapes and sizes—a family vacation, a surprise birthday party, or flowers on Valentine’s Day. But I have received one of…

Help Other Parents Find the Best Schools for Their Kids by Sharing Your Story

When we want to improve things, we often talk about what is broken. But if we truly want to find solutions, we need to pay…