Milwaukee Parent Institute keeps parents in the know
One of the best ways for parents to know what’s going on in school is to go to school.
For the past 10 years, the Milwaukee Parent Institute, or MPI, has taught parents of students in Milwaukee Public Schools valuable knowledge and skills to ensure their children reach their full potential.
MPI was developed in 2014 by the Parent Institute for Quality Education in California. MPS is the only school district in Wisconsin to offer the program.
During a six-week program, parents of MPS students in all grade levels learn:
- The importance of collaboration between home, school and community
- How to comprehend academic standards and standardized test scores
- How to understand social-emotional learning
- Requirements for high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment
- Financial planning for future education
Participants also tour the campuses of M³ (pronounced M-cubed) partners Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
The number of parents attending and graduating from MPI has steadily increased during the past decade, and MPS would like to see more parents participate in the program.
Still, significant barriers exist for parents, especially parents of color, to actively engage in schools. A six-week program is a huge commitment for families, especially those with younger children.
Our M³ partners can help break down these barriers and make MPI more accessible to parents by:
- Providing child care and transportation
- Hosting sessions at flexible times
- Recruiting and training diverse community members to lead sessions
- Offering financial incentives, including scholarships, to attend and graduate
In the future, MPI officials plan to have families visit additional college campuses and launch an alumni network to provide ongoing education and empowerment opportunities to families.