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What We Do

Parent EngagementThe mission of the Department of Parent Engagement is to strengthen the relationship between parents and schools through mutual trust, collaboration, training, and effective communication to ensure the academic and personal success of all HISD students.

The Department of Parent Engagement provides district wide leadership to facilitate and coordinate HISD parent involvement activities consistent with the district's core value: Parents Are Partners. VIPS, Parent Leadership Initiatives, Even Start, Investment Capital Fund, and other special-funded programs are coordinated by this HISD department.

  • Provide district wide leadership for cross-functional planning and collaboration with central office departments and programs, schools, and administrative regional offices offering parent support services in the district.
  • Implement parent leadership training and other parent engagement activities that empower parents as valued partners in HISD schools.
  • Support parent involvement initiatives involving local organizations and advisory groups such as Parents for Public Schools, the Houston Council of PTAs, the Superintendent's Ad Hoc Parent Advisory Committee, the VIPS Advisory Board, and others.
  • Develop the HISD Parent Rights and Responsibilities document.
  • Establish the HISD Parent Engagement Council made up of key departments and programs to improve communications and management efficiency and reduce duplication of effort.
  • Recruit and support parents as active volunteers through the Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) program and recognize the contributions of parents and other volunteers at the annual VIPS Salute.
  • Provide technical assistance to schools in developing parent involvement strategies in the school improvement plans.
  • Support schools in creating an effective school climate for parents and families.
  • Facilitate the implementation of parental-involvement strategies recommended at the expectation: GRADUATION summit.
  • Create innovative and interactive outreach forums for parents that utilize the departmental web site, the HISD television network, and other mass communication systems in the Houston area.
  • Coordinate activities for Parent Involvement Week and other major events to demonstrate the district's appreciation for the involvement of parents as partners in HISD schools.