Byng parents will support local education efforts with leadership project

Byng Public Schools have been selected to participate in a leadership program that encourages and trains parents to become more effective advocates for their local schools.

The Oklahoma GEAR UP Parent Leadership Academy initiative helps local educators and parents develop partnerships to improve student success. The Parent Leadership Academy trains parent volunteers on school data, team building and leadership skills. After training completion, the parent teams are asked to implement projects with $3,000 in grant monies from GEAR UP. The projects must involve other parents, improve student achievement and have a lasting impact in the district.

GEAR UP, a federally funded program administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, helps prepare middle and high school students for college through academic preparation programs and scholarships for students, professional development activities for educators and college access information for students and parents.

“The Parent Leadership Academy brings schools and parents together to strengthen local education opportunities that in turn build stronger students and communities,” said Oklahoma higher education Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “Students are more likely to value education and work toward a college degree when they see their families and communities working alongside them encouraging and supporting their college dreams.”

Oklahoma GEAR UP successfully piloted the statewide Parent Leadership Academy initiative during the 2008-09 school year with three parent-school teams completing projects that focused on raising math and science scores. The Eagletown High School team installed a new science lab in their high school. At Lawton MacArthur Middle School, the team created an on-site math tutoring program, and the team from Warner High School improved a summer health program for students by adding instruction on nutrition, anatomy and kinesthetics.

Other schools selected for this year’s academy include: Amber-Pocasset Public Schools; Ardmore Public Schools; Broken Bow Public Schools; Carver Middle School, Tulsa; Crooked Oak Public Schools; Dickson Public Schools; Durant Public Schools; Eagletown Public Schools; Lawton Eisenhower High School; Mountain View-Gotebo Public Schools; and Turner Public Schools.

For more information about the GEAR UP Parent Leadership Academy, visit www.okhighered.org/gearup/parent-leadership.shtml or call 800.858.1840.