Mission:

Uniting families, schools and communities in Guilford County to support all families’ engagement in their children's learning and full participation in the decisions concerning their children’s education.

Purpose:

• Work across the district to provide greater access to information and resources, relevant data, training, best practices and concrete strategies for families to support their children's school success.
• Facilitate positive, effective two-way communication between families and Guilford County Schools.
• Develop a sustainable and focused process for family engagement.

History

The Greensboro and High Point Chambers of Commerce hosted the Education Summit on Parent Involvement held in May 2003.  Dr. Ralph Davison, Headmaster of Greensboro Day School and Dr. Terry Grier, Superintendent of Guilford County Schools led the Joint Education Committee. 

The Summit was attended by over 130 community members.  Participants included teachers, parents, administrators, community activists, nonprofits, businesses, elected officials, higher education and health care.  Attendees went through a process of identifying top priorities for involving parents and then identifying barriers and strategies relevant to those priorities.  

Everyone who attended the Summit was invited to join the Joint Chambers Parent Involvement Task Force.  The results of the Summit were posted on the Chamber of Commerce website and a general   invitation was issued to anyone who wanted to join the Task Force. The Task Force met monthly from August 2003 until May 2004. The groups were staffed and supported by the Chambers of Commerce and the Guilford Education Alliance.

• Steering Committee

Reflecting on community input, crafting a mission, and working together gave steering committee members an opportunity to build trusting relationships.  We developed a culture of learning in which every voice was heard and differences of opinion were respected. There were no experts and every voice was considered equal.  

Task Force members included parents, retirees with no children, school district administrators, building administrators, university faculty, nonprofits, businesses, elected officials and community leaders.

We immediately acknowledged that although we are a diverse group, there were many voices that were not part of our circle. For example, the meeting time made it impossible for teachers to attend. From personal experiences and based on the barriers identified at the Summit, we made our best attempt at developing a plan and processes that will  provide a variety of opportunities for families and teachers to have input and ownership in the project as it develops.  

Another important aspect of our group was that none of the participants “represented” a particular group or organization. Although we may wear the hat of PTA member or principal, we leave the hat at the door.  We consulted and worked as a group of people who want all children in our public school system to have every opportunity and resource they need to succeed.

List of Task Force members here (with permission)

• Supporters
• The costs of the 2003 Education Summit were underwritten by the Guilford Education Alliance and the business sponsor was Shelcor General Contractors.
• Jamestown United Methodist Church provided meeting space for the Parent Involvement Task Force meetings.  The Joint Chambers of Commerce and the Guilford Education Alliance provided staff for the meetings.

• Meeting Minutes
• Word Documents to be Posted as meetings start in January

Calendar - Link to GEA Calendar page

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