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This program allows parents to learn how the education system works and play a role in their child's education through leadership and advocacy.

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Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) in partnership with the Mexican American Legal Defense Education Fund (MALDEF) is offering the Parent School Partnership Program (PSP) to empower parents to be advocates and leaders in their schools and to build authentic parent school partnerships.

Created in 1989, the PSP Program grew out of need to address the educational inequities faced by the Latinx community. The PSP Program ensures parents gain knowledge to:

participate in their children's education by learning to navigate the educational system

effectively communicate & overcome language barriers & capitalize on cultural assets

gain an in-depth understanding of their rights and their children's rights

Parents will develop projects that create positive change to ensure their children receive a just and equitable education that prepares them for life.

To register for the next Cohort, click here.

Navigating the Education System
Orientation
Parent's will learn about the power in parent engagement and how it relates to their child reaching their fullest potential. Parents are introduced to the PSP program goals and commitment.
Parent's Rights & Responsibilities
Parents discover their historical role as change agents in America's public education system. Parents will learn their legal rights and responsibilities in their child's education and gain understanding of the protocols for resolving a school-related problem and the appeal process.
Parent Teacher Partnership
This session familiarizes parents with the roles and expectations of parents and teachers to ensure they have a partnership centered on a child's academic success. Parents learn about ways to monitor academic progress, key questions to ask during a parent/teacher conference, and strategies to build a positive and successful relationship with their child's teacher.
Structure & Function of School Site
Parents become familiar with various school roles, positions, and gain an understanding of the school's instructional programs, school grade, adequate yearly progress, and school improvement plan. A school principal connects with parents to dialogue about progress monitoring and how to best capitalize on schools' available resources.
Structure & Function of School District & School Board
Parents gain an understanding of the district level processes by engaging in discussions on school finance, budgetary process, resources, and district state grade and graduation rates. The school district's superintendent or a school board member is invited to dialogue with parents about pressing issues. This experience is enhanced with a Meet & Greet with the school board and superintendent.

Leadership & Advocacy
Politics of Education
Participants learn to identify their local, state, and federal policymakers and learn about current educational issues, how to advocate and create change as parent advocates. Information is provided on how to contact elected officials and legislators and a local representative is invited to connect with parents.
Responsible Leadership & Teamwork
Parents learn the skills that will enable them to serve as leaders in their homes, schools, and communities. Through team-building and systematic decision-making, parents collaborate on educational priorities to partner with schools and district to address those priorities.
Facilitating Productive Meetings
Parents will learn to plan a meeting, set the agenda, invite participants to the meeting, organize the meeting room, and publicize the meeting. In addition, participants learn strategies on how to facilitate an effective meeting and ensure everyone in a group has an opportunity to participate.
Strengthening Communication Skills
The focus of this session is to prepare participants to become effective speakers. Information is provided on basic public speaking skills and diverse types of presentations (i.e. addressing a school board, talking with parents informally, conducting a workshop, granting an interview to the media). Participants will develop and practice a presentation on their group project, then present it to the individuals with the power to resolve the problem.
Action Planning & Advocacy
This session teaches participants the basic components of an action plan including defining problems, and establishing goals, objectives and outcomes. Participants continue to work in groups to address the issue they select that will help improve academic outcomes for the children in their school. Each project developed will be presented at the end of the training.
Reflection as Leaders
Parents revisit the definition of leadership, goals, action plan development, time management and are exposed to discussing the education advocacy groups, organizations and committees that parents can serve on to exercise their leadership.

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Family & Community Engagement (FACE) / Parent School Partnership Program

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Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) in partnership with the Mexican American Legal Defense Education Fund (MALDEF) is offering the Parent School Partnership Program (PSP) to empower parents to be advocates and leaders in their schools and to build authentic parent school partnerships.

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This program allows parents from Hispanic and other multicultural backgrounds to receive support and help to inform the school system on how best their children's needs and concerns can be met.

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MISSION

The mission of Hispanic & Multicultural Outreach is to directly support student achievement, graduation and college & career readiness outcomes of Hispanic & Multicultural students by strengthening family, school, & community partnerships through engagement, capacity building initiatives and policy and program development.
GOALS Empower Hispanic & Multicultural Students & Families.

Provide advocacy support in navigating educational systems and building relationships with schools.

Serve as liaison between families, community, & schools to build an environment supportive of student achievement.

Serve as resource & systems navigator for families, schools, and other key stakeholders.

Raise awareness of Needs & Engagement of Community

Inform district and community of current data trends and strategies for engaging Latino & Multicultural populations.

Promote equity & access to educational opportunities to support student achievement.

Promote community partnerships to elevate resource exchange to address unique needs of Hispanic & Multicultural students.

Enhance district capacity to serve Hispanic & Multicultural students

Inform policy and program development efforts to address specific needs

Develop cross cultural competency opportunities for district leaders, school leaders, school staff, and community members

Ensure inclusion of Hispanic & Multicultural perspectives on district and school committees

Areas of Focus

1. Communication

2. Graduation & Access to Rigor & College & Career Awareness

3. School Family Partnerships

Contact
Araseli Martinez-Peña, ED.S.
Coordinator, Hispanic & Multicultural Outreach
Email: araseli.martinez-pena@hcps.net
Phone: 813-272-4228

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Family & Community Engagement (FACE) / Hispanic & Multicultural Outreach

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MISSION The mission of Hispanic & Multicultural Outreach is to directly support student achievement, graduation and college & career readiness outcomes of Hispanic & Multicultural students by strengthening family, school, & community partnerships through engagement, capacity building initiatives and policy and program development. GOALS Empower Hispanic & Multicultural Students & Families.

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Virtual webinars that can help you be a better source of support and advocacy for your child. The webinars provide ways you can help you student at home and be a more confident parent.

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Family & Community Engagement (FACE) / Power Hour (Virtual Parent Education Webinars)

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La misión de la Academia Virtual de Padres de HCPS es proporcionarles a los padres, a las familias y a la comunidad las herramientas y habilidades necesarias para apoyar a los estudiantes académica, social y emocionalmente, mientras construyen una piedra angular para una comunidad más saludable y segura.