One of the DOE’s favorite words is “reform.” They use it with indiscriminate self-congratulation to tout the good, bad, and ugly changes they have tried to dictate or actually imposed in recent years. Their creation of “parent coordinators” certainly sounded like a great idea at the time. They said “For years we have viewed schools as walled fortresses keeping the community out and the children in. Parent coordinators are the ones we are counting on to break open the walls of those fortresses.”
Nobody would argue with that rhetoric, but the fact that principals have total power to hire and fire parent coordinators certainly compromises the independence that coordinators need to represent parents who may have legitimate conflicts with school policy. In other words, parent coordinators earn job security solely by being an unquestioning agent of the principal. Many principals are perfectly fair and honorable, but that’s not the point. In effect the parent coordinators have become their public relations buffers and apologists.
Instead of giving parents more of an open door to their children’s school it denies them the access to school administrators who in the past were accountable for dealing with parents about matters that for one reason or other the school’s management didn’t feel comfortable with.
Exploiting parents by giving them the ruse of “empowerment” will not redeem the system.
More later on the failed DOE seduction of parents.
7 Comments:
1 Love to Teach
· Apr 27, 2008 at 5:03 am
I do not understand your point. I thought the establishment of the parent coordinator was to provide a conduit to the school, rather than go through the school administrative staff.
I thought their function was merely clerical and secretarial, rather than any policy making position.
If this is the case, they are relieving the school administrators of
answering phones and scheduling appointments.
2 Ron Isaac
· Apr 28, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Parent coordinators are not clerical or secretarial employees.Their role as described by the DOE is much deeper than that. They are supposed to function as the voice of parents, not necessarily the lock-step echo of the school leadership.
3 Love to Teach
· Apr 29, 2008 at 5:54 am
I do not see the problem here. I found this job description, and it seems like a generic hosting type job.
JOB POSTING
SCHOOL BASED PARENT COORDINATOR
SCHOOL LOCATION – P.S. 171 – PETER G. VAN ALST. – DISTRICT 30 (30Q171)
Civil Service Title: Community Associate
Salary Range: $29,710 – $39,000
The Parent Coordinator is part of the administrative team working under the supervision of the principal. The
Parent Coordinator will engage with and involve parents in the school community by working with the principal,
school staff, school leadership team, parent associations, community groups and parent advisory councils.
This position focuses on creating a welcoming environment for parents. The Parent Coordinator will identify
parent and related school/community issues and work with the principal to see they are addressed in a timely
manner.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Increases parent involvement in the school by working closely with all school, parent and community
organizations.
• Serves as facilitator for parent and school community concerns and issues including, for example, school
policies or facilities issues.
• Conducts outreach to engage parents in their children’s education.
• Convenes regular parent meetings and events around topics of key concerns to parents.
• Attends parent meetings along with the principal, where appropriate.
• Works with the school parent association, where needed, to provide assistance in establishing by-laws,
holding elections and conducting their affairs in accordance with Chancellor’s Regulation A-660.
• Serves as a school liaison to Central parent and Regional parent support staff.
• Maintains ongoing contact with community organizations that are involved with providing services to the
school’s educational program.
• Organizes back to school and other events to increase parental and community involvement and creates a
welcoming school environment to parents.
Minimum Selection Criteria
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work in an area
related to the duties described above; or an Associate’s degree or its educational equivalent and four years of
experience in community work in an area related to the duties described above is preferred.
OR
A high school diploma and six years of experience in community work in an area related to the duties
described above.
The following qualifications are also preferred for the position:
• Familiarity with the New York City public school system.
• Presently or formerly a public school parent.
• Experience with convening workshops.
• Bilingual where there is a significant non-English speaking population.
• Excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Experience working with families and parents in education and/or community issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Position will require flexibility with respect to work hours in order to meet the needs of parents, including early
mornings, evenings and weekends. The position may also require occasional assignment to different work
sites such as during summer months.
Application: To download an application click here. To apply, please submit the required application along
with a copy of your resume, no later than May 2, 2008, to:
Anne Bussel, Principal
P.S. 171 – Peter G. Van Alst.
14-14 29 Avenue
Queens, NY 11102
E-Mail ABussel@schools.nyc.gov
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Department of Education of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color,
religion, creed, national origin, alienage and citizenship status, age, marital status, disability, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as provided by
law), sexual orientation, gender (sex), and to maintain an environment free of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment, or retaliation as
required by civil rights law. Inquiries regarding compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to: Office of Equal Opportunity, 65 Court
Street, Room 923, Brooklyn, New York 11201, or visit the OEO website at “http://schools.nyc.gov/OEO ”
Please Post
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4 phyllis c. murray
· Apr 29, 2008 at 6:50 am
Re. Parent Coordinators by Ron Issacs
Perhaps the position of Parent Coordinator is misunderstood. Or perhaps the point is :When “principals are perfectly fair and honorable” the position works to give power to the people. We are proud of the work that
our Parent Coordinator does. She is very effective. Adelante!
GIVING POWER TO THE PEOPLE
By Phyllis C. Murray
It is refreshing to be in a school and witness the ability of one parent coordinator that IS empowering parents. In the past, and often today in many inner city communities, parents
were just trying to survive. And often in that process, much of school governance was left to school administrators. However, with the presence of an astute parent coordinator, who is also a parent, one who is able to attract and enlist parents to take on their share of school governance, the mission is on track. This journey, like all journeys, begins with one step…and continues with two.
What is a Parent Coordinator one might ask?
In our school Mabel Gonzalez is the parent coordinator. Mabel is a mother and a positive force within our community. And because of her concern for all children, she is empowered to assist, direct, and inspire many parents.
As a parent coordinator Mabel has become an instrument of change in a former sea of abandoned dreams. She is diligent, informed, and effective as she services the school community. No stone is left unturned. For the abused; she guides them to safe havens; for the needy, she enlists the support of agencies to provide food clothing and even shelter; some parents are enrolled in college; And some parents are working … thanks to Mabel Gonzalez.
Mabel’s role as a leader is exemplified in the incalculable parent workshops which cover: AID’s Awareness, Bullying, Lead Detection and Abatement; Immigration Rights and Landlord and Tenant Rights. She provides the much needed orientation for parents with students in
Grades(K-6).: Assists with Registration, the Parents Association and the School Leadership Team. And Mrs. Gonzalez advocates for parents who are seeking admission for their children in the outstanding college-bound program, Prep for Prep.
In addition to the aforementioned programs, Ms Gonzalez has conducted workshops titled: Man Up Series; Women for Women Series; Hunts Point Works Get a Job; Urban Health Plus, Holistic Medicine; AIDs testing for the Undocumented; Planning Birth Control; Domestic Violence; Gang Prevention; Fire Safety; and the Police Department. Ms Gonzalez has organized the parents into a dynamic team of “Learning Leaders” and many participate in the myriad roles available within the school.
Ms Gonzalez’s initiatives include the beautification of P.S. 75X via City Year and the AmaniTomer Playground on the school grounds. Volunteers of America has been enlisted to provide shelters and holiday fun for the needy.
As we move forward in this 21st Century, we need strong advocates for children: Advocates who will provide a voice for the disenfranchised masses. And if you are fortunate to have a Parent Coordinator like Mabel Gonzalez, you will be in good hands.
Mabel exemplifies excellence in all that she undertakes. And her love for education has been personified in her gifted and talented sons who are making their mark already in their service to their community and academic excellence in school, in college,and in education.
Parents in the suburban elite communities have always been involved and their voice is welcomed as their opinions are heard in open forums. And as we prepare inner city parents to take their rightful place beside teachers and administrators in true leadership teams, we will be moving toward democratization “in the land of the free. ”
Phyllis C. Murray,UFT Chapter Leader
District 8
5 phyllis c. murray
· Apr 29, 2008 at 6:52 am
Re. Parent Coordinators by Ron Issacs
Perhaps the position of Parent Coordinator is misunderstood. Or perhaps the point is :When “principals are perfectly fair and honorable” the position works to give power to the people. We are proud of the work that
our Parent Coordinator does. She is very effective. Adelante!
GIVING POWER TO THE PEOPLE
By Phyllis C. Murray
It is refreshing to be in a school and witness the ability of one parent coordinator that IS empowering parents. In the past, and often today in many inner city communities, parents
were just trying to survive. And often in that process, much of school governance was left to school administrators. However, with the presence of an astute parent coordinator, who is also a parent, one who is able to attract and enlist parents to take on their share of school governance, the mission is on track. This journey, like all journeys, begins with one step…and continues with two.
What is a Parent Coordinator one might ask?
In our school Mabel Gonzalez is the parent coordinator. Mabel is a mother and a positive force within our community. And because of her concern for all children, she is empowered to assist, direct, and inspire many parents.
As a parent coordinator Mabel has become an instrument of change in a former sea of abandoned dreams. She is diligent, informed, and effective as she services the school community. No stone is left unturned. For the abused; she guides them to safe havens; for the needy, she enlists the support of agencies to provide food clothing and even shelter; some parents are enrolled in college; And some parents are working … thanks to Mabel Gonzalez.
Mabel’s role as a leader is exemplified in the incalculable parent workshops which cover: AID’s Awareness, Bullying, Lead Detection and Abatement; Immigration Rights and Landlord and Tenant Rights. She provides the much needed orientation for parents with students in
Grades(K-6).: Assists with Registration, the Parents Association and the School Leadership Team. And Mrs. Gonzalez advocates for parents who are seeking admission for their children in the outstanding college-bound program, Prep for Prep.
In addition to the aforementioned programs, Ms Gonzalez has conducted workshops titled: Man Up Series; Women for Women Series; Hunts Point Works Get a Job; Urban Health Plus, Holistic Medicine; AIDs testing for the Undocumented; Planning Birth Control; Domestic Violence; Gang Prevention; Fire Safety; and the Police Department. Ms Gonzalez has organized the parents into a dynamic team of “Learning Leaders” and many participate in the myriad roles available within the school.
Ms Gonzalez’s initiatives include the beautification of P.S. 75X via City Year and the AmaniTomer Playground on the school grounds. Volunteers of America has been enlisted to provide shelters and holiday fun for the needy.
As we move forward in this 21st Century, we need strong advocates for children: Advocates who will provide a voice for the disenfranchised masses. And if you are fortunate to have a Parent Coordinator like Mabel Gonzalez, you will be in good hands.
Mabel exemplifies excellence in all that she undertakes. And her love for education has been personified in her gifted and talented sons who are making their mark already in their service to their community and academic excellence in school, in college,and in education.
Parents in the suburban elite communities have always been involved and their voice is welcomed as their opinions are heard in open forums. And as we prepare inner city parents to take their rightful place beside teachers and administrators in true leadership teams, we will be moving toward democratization “in the land of the free. ”
6 Love to Teach
· Apr 29, 2008 at 11:46 am
I do not think the role of the parent coordinator is misunderstood. I think the role of the parent coordinator is clearly defined and most probably reflects the demographics of the school and neighborhood.
As Ms. Murray states
“Parents in the suburban elite communities have always been involved and their voice is welcomed as their opinions are heard in open forums. And as we prepare inner city parents to take their rightful place beside teachers and administrators in true leadership teams, we will be moving toward democratization “in the land of the free. ”
Comment by phyllis c. murray — April 29, 2008 @ 6:52 am ”
Our Public advocate did a study on the parent coordinator after the position was established and found numerous situations where there was no answering of the phone, no response to parents, etc, etc.
I guess the role of the coordinator reflects the environment they are in, similar to school performance, and probably independent of the quality of teacher staff and or principals.
7 Sabrina
· Mar 25, 2010 at 10:21 am
The role on paper is clearly defined the problem is Principals view the PC as an extra body and basically utilize them however they see fit. That include answering a phone, to teaching! Yes TEACHING!!!Usually the last thing they are allowed to focus on is PArents! truth be told in poorer districts where involvement is low the last things Administration wants is 500 parents that know exactly whats going on in their child’s school.
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