Parents and Progress: I D E A’ S F A M I LY A D V I S O R Y C O U N C I L
LaShawnda Moore remembers the precise moment she knew that IDEA Public Schools was the right place for her children. Moore, who had initially been skeptical about charter schools, decided to do her own investigating at IDEA to see if all the claims really did hold up, and she was serving as a substitute teacher at IDEA Eastside when she saw something she couldn’t believe. “I SAW SOMETHING IN THAT CLASSROOM that just blew my
mind,” she recalls. “There was a special education student in a regular classroom, and it was completely inclusive, and I saw him read a whole passage! Most people, myself included, would first think he couldn’t do it. At IDEA, though, he was expected and able to rise to the challenge. That’s when I decided my kids needed to be in this school no matter what.” Three of Moore’s children are now enrolled at IDEA Walzem, and she has been a fervent advocate for IDEA, often encouraging other parents to get involved on campus. 18
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IMPACT WINTER 2020
Family involvement plays a large part in a student’s success. In fact, studies show that students whose parents are involved in their education earn better grades and have higher test scores. The more parents are involved, the more their children seem to benefit. In Fall 2018, IDEA Public Schools founded the Family Advisory Council (FAC) to better connect with parents and give families the opportunity to have a greater impact on their child’s campus and education. The FAC has 192 members across six regions — four members per campus. The groups meet three times annually during the fall, spring and summer in their respective regions to help create interpersonal relationships amongst members, provide Team & Family updates, and give feedback on topics presented by various IDEA leaders. The council will be critical to helping IDEA think about certain aspects of House Bill 3 implementation, such as extended learning time, pre-k, and supports for students with special needs. “Giving parents the space to have a voice and take an active role in their child’s education is just another reason why we love IDEA so much,” says Sara Flores, whose two daughters attend IDEA Ewing Halsell. “IDEA makes students the priority along with goals, responsibilities and high expectations. As a parent, it makes you want to work just as hard.”
