Parent University is a series of sessions in which parents are offered a space to connect with community resources, engage in adult education, and become empowered to be active participants in their child’s education.

Anyone can participate! Classes are free to attend. Graduation will be held at the end of the year for those who attend six or more classes throughout the year.

Yes! At each event, Parent University offers free childcare.

A consensus of research consistently shows that students receive a broad range of benefits from family-engaged education. A 2019 American Psychological Association review of 448 independent studies on parent involvement shows that they demonstrate improved academic performance when parents are involved in their children’s schooling. In addition to educational benefits, research shows that family engagement benefits children’s social-emotional development. A 2010 report published by the Society for Research in Child Development indicates that children with parents involved in their children’s schooling had enhanced social functioning and fewer behavior problems.

Despite overwhelming evidence that family engagement improves student outcomes, it can be challenging for caregivers to feel empowered to participate in their children's schooling. Community resources that help enable parents can be hard to find or access, navigating school systems and procedures can sometimes be challenging, and it can feel difficult to master the necessary skills to help children with their schoolwork or emotional development.

 Parent University is designed to empower caregivers to become active participants in their children’s education by connecting them with community resources, providing them with knowledge about their school’s systems and procedures, and teaching them the skills they feel they need to help children throughout their educational journey.

No sign-up is required to attend Parent University sessions. Simply show up for the sessions you'd like to participate at the time and location listed on the calendar [hyperlink to calendar page by clicking “calendar”]!

For any questions, please get in touch with Lee Scheffe, community organizer at Grassroots Community Development, through any of the following means:

Phone: (254) 235-7358 ext. 209

Email: lee@grassrootswaco.org

Address: 1624 Colcord Ave, Waco, TX 76707