Parent Engagement Program

Parent Engagement Program: Strengthening Schools Through Family Engagement

This summer, 13 parents and caregivers from across Alamance County completed a transformative journey—one that deepened their understanding of local schools and strengthened the ties that support student success. Over six months, these dedicated families invested time, energy, and heart to deepen their understanding of how local schools work and how they can champion their children’s success. What began as curiosity or a desire to be more involved grew into a shared learning experience that connected families across neighborhoods, cultures, and school communities.

Research shows that higher levels of parent involvement are strongly linked to improved academic achievement and reduced behavioral challenges. This engagement reinforces education as a shared responsibility between families and teachers—building trust and strengthening relationships that benefit students and school communities as a whole.

Facilitated in partnership with Parents for Public Schools (PPS)—a national advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening public schools through family and community engagement—PEP provides structured learning and peer connection that help participants to understand school data, participate in decision-making, and build essential advocacy skills to support strong schools.

An important part of the PEP experience is the opportunity for participants to identify a need within their child’s school community and design a project to address it through their Personal Learning Plans. Each participant is invited to propose a solution rooted in what they’ve learned throughout the program. Selected proposals receive grant funding to bring these ideas to life, allowing parents to move from learning to action and see their advocacy make a tangible difference.

This year’s PEP grantees demonstrated creativity, insight, and a deep commitment to strengthening their school communities.