Parent & Teacher Resources
Become an Advocate
For Your Community
Big, systematic changes start with individuals working together. If want to help children gain access to equitable education, you aren’t alone. Innovate Schools is dedicated to making that goal a reality for students across the country.
Here, you’ll find resources to help you become the leader your community needs – whether you’re an experienced organizer or just staring to get involved.
Parents
Parents play a vital role in creating lasting education equity. If you’re looking for ways to ensure your own child has a quality education, build relationships with others, and find your own voice within your community, see our parent resources to get started.
Teachers
Join our nationwide network of teachers creating fair, equitable classrooms from the ground up. We support teachers across the country with guides, studies, and programs that provide the information they need to create inclusive classrooms in their own schools.
Courses
Designed for both parents and teachers, our courses teach aspiring organizers the fundamentals of activism and education equity. See our open enrollment dates and find the course that best suits your needs (and the needs of your community) below.
Parent Resources
A Quick Guide to School Enrollment
Are you ready to enroll your child in school? See the documents you need, age and vaccination requirements, a suggested timeline of enrollment activities, and more in this quick guide for parents.
A-G Requirements
Graduating from high school doesn’t always mean students are eligible to go to college. The A-G Requirements are a specific group of courses that students must take and pass in order to be college-ready. See our article for the full list of A-G requirements and how to ensure your student takes the necessary classes.
Teacher Resources
Narrow the Opportunity Gap With High-Quality Tutoring
High-quality tutoring has proven to be one of the best ways for students to catch up and succeed academically.
Our guide, 10 Elements of High-Quality Tutoring, highlights the key elements of effective tutoring and explains how you can support all students in your classroom.
An Advocate’s Guide to Transforming Special Education
This guide outlines the best strategies for helping children with disabilities achieve at high levels as determined by data as well as the best-performing schools.
Questions that activists should pose to their school or community are included, along with suggestions for practices and policies that they should seek out and promote.
Courses & Programs
Community Organizer Training Program
Our Community Organizer Training Program (COTP) is a six-month commitment that includes five three-day virtual sessions and one three-day in-person final session (subject to government health guidelines). In addition, we provide expert coaching in between sessions.
Graduates of COTP will be added to our esteemed alumni network after graduation. Participants will receive access to professional development programs supported by Innovate and our online COTP Resource HUB as alumni.
Jose Arenas Parent Leadership Institute
The Jose Arenas Parent Leadership Institute empowers parents, guardians, and caregivers to become effective advocates for education equity. Its Customized Plan is a three-day, community-tailored training for groups of 30 or more, while the Virtual Plan offers a shorter, online option for both new and experienced participants.
Parent Leadership Seminars (PLS) teach key skills like strategic planning, advocacy, and organizing, and the Annual Assembly unites families and community leaders to review progress, set goals, and drive lasting change.
Find Even More Ways to Get Involved
We’re here to help you find the best ways to support your community. See additional resources and other ways to get involved with Innovate.