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Not only do workshops give you a chance to learn new things, they are a chance to meet and get to know other parents and professionals who share your interests. Remember, there is power in partnership!
Any group, school or community organization that supports parents and families may sponsor a Massachusetts PIRC workshop. Refreshments are often provided at workshops by the sponsoring agency. Free childcare may also be available.
To find out about PIRC workshops that are currently scheduled across the state, visit our Calendar of Events.
To find out about how to schedule a workshop, please contact Bria at 617-399-8342.
Here is a listing of the workshops Massachusetts PIRC is currently offering:
Parents Are Their Child’s First Teachers
Parents play a powerful role not only in their child’s growth, development, and daily life but also in their child’s education. Active involvement in your child’s early childhood program is important in developing school readiness and is a key to future academic success. This workshop explores ways families can communicate and work effectively with their children’s early care and education providers to influence the quality of the program and ensure that their child receives the best services possible.
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Parents Are Powerful
Parents have the power of many rights and options under both federal and state educational laws. But how can parents use this power to strengthen their role and involvement in their child’s education and support their child’s academic success? This workshop explores what parents can do at home, in school and at the school district level to ensure their child receives a quality education. The workshop informs parents about how educational reform in Massachusetts can positively affected their children’s learning experiences in school.
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Understanding American Schools: Help for New Immigrant Families
For families who are new to the U.S., American schools and our educational system can be very puzzling and confusing. This workshop suggests ways new immigrant families can help their children succeed in school as they adjust to a new culture and language. This workshop covers components of the American school system, such as enrollment, grading system, report cards, and rights of immigrants and students who are English-language learners.
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MCAS: Helping Your Child Prepare (Offered only in Spring)
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System is a key strategy for improving education in Massachusetts. It is a way to ensure high standards for students and holds schools accountable for student progress. This workshop explains the reasons why we have this statewide testing system and how it is currently being implemented. Parents examine sample MCAS questions and responses and explore supports and resources available for helping students improve their performance.
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Families and Schools Together
All children benefit greatly if the important adults in their lives—family members and teachers—work together. How well does your child’s school involve families? What can you do to get involved? This workshop provides practical ways parents can support their child’s learning and achievement in school. It explores how families can partner with their child’s teachers and school.
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MCAS: A Roadmap to Understanding Your Child’s Scores and How to Support Future Learning
Early in the school year, families receive a Parent/Guardian Report which gives details about how their child did on the previous spring’s MCAS tests. What do these scores mean? What do these numbers say about my child’s learning skills? How can I help my child improve? This workshop answers these questions for parents by focusing on how to interpret MCAS scores, resources to support their child’s learning, and ways they can help improve their child’s performance of future tests.
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