Parents and Progress: IDEA's Family Advisory Council

I D E A’ S FA M I LY A D V I S O RY C O U N C I L Parents and Progress:

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 servingas 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.

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.”

Flores says she volunteered a bit during Welcome to IDEA events and enjoyed talking to new families and learning about their experiences at other schools and what they were looking for at IDEA.

“I learned that IDEA was forming a Family Advisory Council and felt like that would be a great opportunity for me,” she says. “So, I applied and was accepted and have been involved with the group since its founding last year.” Tiffany Austin, a parent with children at IDEA Mays says that the FAC has allowed her to feel like she really has a voice as a parent. However, it took some convincing to get her to join the council.

“I have always been a PTO mom, and I can be very opinionated, and I wasn’t sure how receptive they would be to my thoughts on things,” she says with a laugh. “But I spoke with organizers ofthe council and they told me they wanted parents who would be very honest about how they felt, and that’s when I applied.”

“IDEA is not afraid of doing the work,” says Austin. “They want to do things right when it comes to education, with kids, and now, with families. “

During each FAC meeting, council representatives have the opportunity to meet regionally and discuss a major theme or topic presented by an IDEA leader. Council members then give feedback, collaborate amongst members, and share ideas they can pass on to their respective principals.

So far, the council has seen their feedback implemented in the creation of the new IDEA website, streamlined communication with Remind app messages, and new strategies for supporting scholars with their schoolwork.

“In every meeting, you have parents with different ideas and perspectives coming together, and it helps teach you what parents are looking for at school,” says Moore.

All three parents say they have begun to see the efforts of the FAC on their respective campuses, and it’s a great feeling.

“One of our goals was to help increase parent involvement at IDEA Ewing Halsell,” says Flores. “So, we found ways to get families involved including working at our school store, volunteering for field days, and helping with pick-ups and drop-offs. It’s just a really great feeling knowing that when you see a deficit, you can help find ways to turn that into an opportunity and make your campus better.” ♦

FAC applications open to fill vacancies during the fall of each year. During that time, IDEA staff may nominate members, and IDEA families can self-nominate. After the applications are received, a reviewing committee makes the final selections.  

Translation services are available at each meeting upon request.

For more information about the FAC, please email FAMILYADVISORYCOUNCIL@IDEAPUBLICSCHOOLS.ORG

Previous Page: FAC member Moore says IDEA is the best school option for her children Frederick, Areyanna and Marquis. Top: Flores is a well-known member of the FAC and campus community, pictured here with daughters Mia and Emma. Bottom: An active member of the FAC, Austin uses her voice to advocate for her son Larry and all students on campus. 