August 22, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KCKPS Hosts Family Advocacy Days

They're not Parent-Teacher Conferences in Kansas City, Kansas any more. Now they're Family Advocacy Conversations.

The Family Advocate System is designed to increase student achievement by building positive relationships between students, parents, and teachers. These beginning of the year Family Advocacy Days begin with each school's early release time on Wednesday, August 22, and continuing through the day on Thursday, August 23. The purpose of these conferences is to help parents get acquainted with their student's advocate. They will discuss the expectations of the parent, student, and advocate. Each party will have a chance to build their relationship with the others. They will together set goals, for the student, and discuss an action plan to achieve those goals.

Many schools will participate in student-led conferences. It is the belief of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools that having students take charge of the conversations makes the students more accountable for what they are learning. In addition, this form of conferencing creates a partnership between the home and the school.

"Family Advocacy gives our students, parents and teacher advocates an opportunity to get to know each other, build relationships, set goals, and make real connections. When all of our students reach the goals set for 2010 it will be due in part, to the teacher advocates stepping up, believing in their students, working with their parents and going the extra mile to make all of our students college ready," said Lindsey Schneider, Family Advocacy Program Manager.

Conference hours are specific to each school, so parents are encouraged to work directly with their child's advocate to schedule a conference time.