Bea Fernandez receives a bus full of families arriving for Parent University.

San Diego Parent University is a district initiative to encourage, supplement, and enrich parent involvement activities at home. Most schools in the district offer parents some parenting programs throughout the year; however, most schools do not have the staff nor the resources to develop ongoing parent involvement programs to substantially impact student learning. While all forms of parent involvement are desirable, doing home learning activities coordinated with children’s classwork and providing enrichment activities, appear to be the most valuable in regard to student achievement.

Classes are targeted to help parents provide school readiness skills, language and literacy development for young children before they begin kindergarten, and continue to support their learning throughout their school years so they can be successful in school. Parents of preschool and schoolage children also benefit from parenting classes designed specifically to support the social, emotional, and physical development of children. Parent classes also prepare parents to work with school staff to support their children’s learning.
 
Target Audience:
The first phase (2000-2001) of San Diego Parent University was designed to target families from the eight lowest performing elementary schools identified by the district as Focus Schools. Phase two (2001-2002) will target ten Focus Schools. Parents from eligible neighborhood elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the district are also welcome to attend.
 
(See Eligible Schools).

 GOALS

  1.  To help parents support their children’s healthy development and achievement.
  2. To build and enhance parenting skills for improved parent-child relationships.
  3. To provide leadership training to help parent’s become actively involved in their children’s schools as volunteers or parent leaders.

 PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  1. Increased parent involvement at school.
  2. Improved parent-teacher relationships.
  3. Increased parent-child involvement at home to support learning.
  4. Improved family relationships.