On March 5, 30 counselors gathered from around the Road Map Region for the third Counselor Professional Development workshop of the year provided by Race to the Top. The session focused on postsecondary advising for students with Special Needs and English Language Learner students. We were fortunate to have a group of parents who are working with One America to elevate their voices within the education system and help ensure that schools and districts are more reflective of diverse demographics.
A group of five parents and one recent high school graduate joined counselors for a dialogue about what they dream for their children, what they need from schools and how they would like to be involved. A theme from counselors was that they want to know how to better serve students in immigrant families, and a theme from parents was frustration about not getting information they need to support their children on the path to postsecondary education. Counselors and parents both expressed gratitude for the opportunity to begin this open dialogue, and we plan to continue it into the future, giving parents and counselors the opportunity to work together to provide more equitable and comprehensive advising to students in our region.
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