PHOENIX, AZ - March 18, 2008 - More than 100 parents of students at Balsz Elementary School will hear Congressman Ed Pastor speak on Tuesday as they graduate from ASU's "American Dream Academy" parent-involvement program.

 

Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for 5:30 p.m., tonight at Balsz Elementary School, 4309 E. Belleview Street in Phoenix.  The graduation is open to the public.

 

As the signature program of ASU's Center for Community Development and Civil Rights, the "American Dream Academy" collaborates with schools and districts in low-income, disadvantaged residential areas for the purpose of training parents to become effective partners in and advocates for their children's education - part of an effort to increase elementary, middle- and high-school retention and graduation rates among this "high-risk" population.

 

Through a nine-week program offered at no cost to participants, parents of K-12 children enrolled in under-served or under-performing schools gain the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the educational and personal development of their children. Trained facilitators teach a curriculum that addresses navigation of the school system, communication and collaboration with teachers and administrators, establishing a home learning environment, and supporting the child's emotional and social development.

 

Launched in October 2006, the American Dream Academy education program has already graduated nearly 3,000 parents of children from 40 different schools, and impacted more than 16,000 low-income, minority youth throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. Each parent earns a certificate of completion and is recognized for their commitment and work on behalf of their children's education.

 

"These classes taught us the importance of our children's education, how we can plan for their future, and become our children's best friends," said former graduate Ismelda Canales, whose children attended Tolleson High School. "Personally, this course was vital to my life. I found out more about financial aid, scholarships, loans, the steps to get to a university, and how to motivate my children to achieve their goals."

 

School officials praise the American Dream Academy program for increasing parent involvement and creating a marked reduction in student absenteeism.

 

The ASU Center for Community Development and Civil Rights plans to expand its program to include classes addressing financial literacy and homebuyer education. They also will connect parents and their families with the many community outreach programs offered throughout ASU.

The ASU Center for Community Development and Civil Rights was founded in 2005 by Raul Yzaguirre, a national civil rights leader and professor of practice at ASU.  The Center is dedicated to empowering all people by building bridges between the university and the community, in order to address problems, share knowledge and serve as a catalyst for transformation. The American Dream Academy is one of the Center's many programs and research projects that facilitates joint university-community research and takes the initiative to achieve a major social impact that can be replicated regionally, nationally and internationally.  The Center's overarching goal is to make communities and societies more prosperous, equitable, and just.

 

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