Parent University

Parent University Logo

Parent University increases parents’ personal, professional and leadership skills to support and encourage their students’ academic success and transition to post-secondary education.

The Parent University delivers a series of parenting workshops to assist parents in their own personal and career development and to strengthen support of their children’s academic success and transition to higher education. The goal is to provide a learning community that will increase parent involvement in their children’s education and to strengthen families’ understanding of and access to postsecondary options.

Community and school based parent education programs:

  • Serve as a bridge between families, the community and schools.
  • Provide parents and families with support in how best to aid and advocate for their children in school.
  • Reflect the unique needs and culture of school districts and communities in their structure, implementation and delivery.

The Parent University model focuses on parents as adult learners. The Parent University model seeks to empower and validate parents and build upon their prior knowledge.

 

Key areas of focus

  • Parent’s personal growth
  • Navigating school systems and postsecondary options
  • Parenting

In the Parent University model, parents are the decision-makers of what they learn, how they learn, and when they learn.

 

Commitment

  • Sessions offered in fall and spring.
  • Parents who attend at least 10 sessions during school year will receive a Certificate of Completion at a graduation ceremony.

 

Benefits

  • Gain knowledge of the educational system, including postsecondary education options.
  • Discover strategies to become active participants in the education of their children.
  • Engage in personal growth opportunities.
  • Increased familiarity with community resources to support individual and family needs.
  • Enriching childcare offered while parents are participating in Parent University classes and events.

 

For more information about Parent University and/or to discuss starting a Parent University in your school district or community, contact the Illinois P-20 Network.