Building Parent Capacity in High-Poverty Schools

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.