Building Parent Capacity in High-Poverty Schools: Actions for Authentic Impact

Discover practical strategies to foster meaningful connections with parents and families. Parental engagement today changes the future of education for the students and parents of tomorrow. In Building Parent Capacity in High Poverty Schools, the educational leader known as "the woman who makes schools work for the poor" shares insightful strategies and personal stories to guide educators in fostering meaningful connections with parents. Leveraging her wealth of experience in education, Dr. Anderson underlines the vital role of family engagement and the integration of comprehensive support structures centered around families. Underscoring the importance of nurturing parent capacity and cultivating authentic relationships with parents and community stakeholders, the book enables learning communities where parents are active participants in their child’s educational journey. Additional features include: Definitions of parent capacity, involvement, and engagement Learned and Lived" stories highlighting school districts successfully supporting families and students In Action" sections demonstrating the application of tools and strategies in different contexts A discussion of the significance of school funding and resource management By moving from rhetoric to reality, from jargon to clarity, and from bake sales to budget considerations, this strikingly practical book offers tools, methods, and ideas that school leaders and educators can use to engage parents, build their capacity, and ultimately create a future of hope for generations to come.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Introduction Chapter 1: Understanding Parent Capacity and Its Role in School Success Chapter 2: Building Relationships With Parents Chapter 3: Walking the Talk Chapter 4: Building Capacity Through Powerful Partnership Chapter 5: Funding the Promise of a Better Future Conclusion: Inspiration and Call to Action from Linda Brown Appendices

About the Author :
After serving as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent, in 2016 Tiffany Anderson EdD, became the first African American female superintendent for Topeka Public Schools in Topeka, Kansas. home of Brown v. Board, the Supreme Court case that ended legal segregation. Dr. Anderson is the longest serving superintendent in Topeka Public Schools, and during her tenure, they gained 3 national Magna Awards from the National School Board Association under her leadership for their innovative approaches impacting families and the community.  Over the decades of serving as a superintendent, Dr. Anderson′s transformational leadership approach in addressing the needs of families has been captured in publications that include articles, speaking engagements, a docuseries, and  in 2016, she was selected by EDWeek as one of the nation′s 16 Leaders to Learn From.  In 2023, the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) recognized Dr. Anderson with the national 2023 Women in School Leadership Award. Dr. Anderson attended Saint Louis University for her Bachelors, University of Missouri St. Louis for her Masters and Saint Louis University for her Doctorate. In 2022 Dr. Anderson received her Master’s in Divinity. She has served as adjunct faculty for multiple universities and for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, she is a Professor of Practice for Kansas State University, and she is a board member on the Kansas Board of Regents for the Technical Education Authority overseeing all two year colleges and technical schools. Dr. Anderson was the Co-Chair for the Commission for Racial Equity and Justice in Kansas and she is a leader in implementing strategies that build parent capacity in public health. 

Review :
Anderson authentically engages with parents unlike any educational leader we have known. She details her time-tested recipe for success to empower other educators to do this work. If you’re ready to stop tinkering with parent engagement and want to build collaborations that transform the lives of your students and families, you must read this book. Many parents want to be, and should be, actively included in the universal village that raises their child. Anderson’s vast set of experiences and impressive body of expertise provide an authentic, faithful road map to that end. Anderson provides a powerful book, painting a picture rich with illustrations as to the importance of engaging families. Each chapter includes lived and learned experiences that will leave footprints as you envision integrated tiered systems of support with families at the forefront. I am grateful to leaders like Anderson, who leverages strategies to improve the overall well-being of children and their families in the school districts she leads. Anderson’s book is a testament to her transformational leadership. It serves as an inspirational resource for communities seeking to build stronger connections between schools and families, utilizing a public health approach to guide groundbreaking change. This book is a testament to Anderson’s passion for empowering parents to become active partners in their children’s education. Through practical strategies and personal anecdotes, she illustrates how to equip parents to engage meaningfully in their child’s learning journey. Anderson provides lived experience and truly has walked the talk. Her writing exemplifies the profound understanding that meeting students and families where they are, without judgment, while maintaining an open mind is paramount. Her dedication to connecting with families and fostering community ties underscores her deep-seated passion and compassion for those she serves. It’s truly remarkable writing.