Boston Public Schools

Office of Family and Student Engagement

PARENT UNIVERSITY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Parent University Class Offerings

Boston Public Schools is seeking proposals from BPS Departments, external partners and community-
based organizations to present Parent University session/class offerings for School Year 2010-2011.
Successful proposals must meet the requirements detailed in this RFP and be submitted electronically by
5:00pm on July 15, 2010 to BPS Parent University at parentuniversity@bostonpublicschools.org.

1. Parent University Overview

The Boston Public Schools vision for family and student engagement is “every school will welcome every
family and every student actively engaging them as partners in student learning and school improvement”.
The Office of Family and Student Engagement is charged with building the capacity of schools, families,
students and the district to attain that vision. The primary strategy for engaging families is Parent
University, a learning experience specifically designed to help BPS parents increase their understanding of
how children learn and develop; what their children should be learning; how to help their children get
what they need to succeed; and how to bring other parents together to work for school improvement.

The theory of change that drives the Parent University is: If we provide all BPS parents with the
knowledge and experiences that build their capacity to advocate and support not only their child’s
learning but their own personal learning, then parents will become more engaged and intentional in
demanding and supporting quality education for their children in ways that result in improved student
outcomes and school improvement

Parent University offers three full day Saturday learning sessions during the academic year; one each
held in October, January, and May. Learning Session/classes at these full day sessions will be offered in
two (2) two hour blocks and one 90 minute block. Additional sessions are offered throughout the year at
schools, libraries and community centers. These intersession offerings can be either a single class or a
series of classes, with an in-depth focus.

Parents earn Parent University Points (PUPs) for each class or series completed. The points are
accumulated to earn incentives and/or a Parent University Certificate in June. In 2009-10 over 700 parents
participated in Parent University learning sessions, with approximately 80 meeting the 10 PUP
requirements for receiving a Parent University Certificate. Parent University is open to all BPS families,
with intensive outreach to low-income families of color and immigrant families. Parent U will provide
strands in Spanish in Year 1 and expanded language offerings in Year 2. There will be no cost to BPS
families and minimal cost to others.

We firmly believe that Parent University is an effective strategy for increasing the capacity of parents to
navigate, advocate and partner with BPS for student success and school improvement.

2. Parent University Outcomes:

Parent University has been well received by BPS parents. Consistency and high standards have earned a
85% satisfaction ranking of good/excellent for class offerings at learning session. To maintain high
quality, Parent University staff monitor classes and offer suggestions and guidance to presenters, when
necessary.
Based on the theory of change, the following outcomes have been developed as indicators and measures
for Parent University:
1. Increase engagement of families in school activities such as parent-teacher conferences,
Instructional Leadership Teams, School Parent Council and School Site Council.

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 2. Increase in parent efficacy as evidenced by:
• Parents self-report increased confidence and knowledge to support and advocate for both their
children’s learning and their own;
• Parents self-report behavioral changes that contribute to stronger supports for learning at home;
• Parents self-report a clearer understanding of what their children should know and be able to do
by grade level;
• Parents self-report a higher level of effectiveness and meaningful communications between home
and school;
• Schools report higher levels of parent engagement in school events and programs;
• Schools report an increase in the effectiveness of activities primarily linked to learning; and,
• Increased number of families actively participating in decision-making and school improvement:
such as School Parent Council, School Site Council, Instructional Leadership Team, and other
school committees.

3. Parent University Teaching Methodology:

The Parent University teaching methodology is based on the principles of adult learning and places value
on the knowledge, skills and experiences that participants bring to the classroom. The class/presentation
format is interactive and follows the following sequence:

• Overview of topic/ subject matter

• Assess participant knowledge of topic/subject matter
• Introduce new knowledge/skills based on topic/subject matter
• Provide opportunity for participants to do something or experiment with the new
knowledge/skills.
The curriculum is divided into four strands that provide a developmental continuum and a range of
offerings. Parents are Teachers which focuses on providing parents a clearer understanding of the
developmental process of learning, how to stimulate and support healthy intellectual and social
development for their children and the teaching and learning approaches used by the BPS. Parents are
Advocates which seeks to build parents’ capacity to be a better advocate for their child, understand the
learning standards and assessments, how to support learning at home and how to access resources to
ensure their child reaches academic proficiency. Parents are Learners provides parents the opportunity to
build upon their own skills for personal and professional development. Parents are Leaders provides
parents with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to assume leadership roles in their schools, the
BPS and community. Each strand has key elements that detail how participants will gain knowledge, build
skills and apply learning (See Attachment 2 for details). Successful proposals must align with a specific
strand and the class format (See Attachments 3 and 4) must incorporate principles of adult learning.

In addition to utilizing a methodology based on principles of adult learning, Parent University offerings
must be grounded in culturally competent practice and promote a growth mindset. The growth mindset
model is based on the theory that “individuals achieve through effective effort not innate ability.”

4. Language Expansion:

It is the desire of the staff of Parent University to be able to serve all BPS families. The language
expansion goal for Parent U is to increase our language capacity across strands each sequential year by
partnering with other district departments and community agencies to offer a broad range of classes in a
variety of languages. In the first year, Parent University offered over 35 classes including 12 which were
facilitated in Spanish. In year two, Parent University will increase the language capacity with classes
offered a minimum of two additional languages.

Proposal Process

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Request must be submitted to BPS Parent University by 5:00PM on July 15, 2010. All proposals must be
submitted electronically to parentuniversity@bostonpublicschools.org .

The proposal review process will be completed by July 15, 2010. BPS Parent University will notify
organizations/individuals of the status of proposals by July 26, 2010.

BPS Parent University has limited funding to support proposals for learning sessions which limit the
ability to purchase services. Successful proposals that require fees or other financial commitment must
demonstrate a level of in-kind contributions and provide a detailed narrative.

A Memorandum of Agreement will be developed for each presenter/organization that details the
agreement between BPS Parent University and the presenter/organization that includes presentation dates,
and expectations for presenters, materials and outcomes. The MOA will also include any fees or costs
associated with the delivery of learning sessions.

Approval Process
Parent University Curriculum Committee will review all submissions and rank proposals using the
following criteria and rankings.
Proposals will be ranked using the following criteria in the nine (9) areas listed below:

4 – Highly Recommended 3 – Recommended 2- Acceptable 1- Unacceptable

1. Proposal Alignment to Parent University learning strands

2. Competence – track record for providing services to BPS Parent University demographic

3. Competence – track record for successfully delivering content

4. Content – Level of benefit to parents

5. Content – Level of relevance to learning Strands

6. Delivery – Incorporates principles of adult learning

7. Delivery – Level of interaction

8. Outcomes – Clear, measurable learning outcomes

9. Financial Commitment – level of BPS financial commitment; fees, materials, etc..

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Proposal Format: 2-4 pages

Successful proposals will include clearly defined learning objectives and content that are aligned to the
Parent University Strands, and utilize a methodology that is grounded in principles of adult education. It
should include strategies for assessing prior knowledge of participants and providing opportunities for
participants to interact with each other and the content. Submissions must include the following:

• Cover Letter (1 pg.) that provides a narrative that includes:

• Description of how the organizational mission or purpose aligns with Parent University

• Brief information about the organization/individual submitting the proposal that includes
experience and track record in delivering the proposed content

• Experience in delivering content to a diverse populations

• Proposal (1-3 pgs.) using the attached proposal format (Attachment 1)

• Appendix: Please attach the following

1. Course materials(if available): handouts, PowerPoint

• List of references

NON-DISCRIMINATION:
In performing in accordance with the terms of the Request For Proposal, the responder agrees not
to discriminate against any participant because of sex, race, religion, color, national origin or
ancestry, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression as stated
in the BPS Non-Discrimination Policy.

Successful proposals must meet the requirements detailed in this RFP and be submitted
electronically by 5:00pm on July 15, 2010 to BPS Parent University at
parentuniversity@bostonpublicschools.org .

Proposal Review Process

Date Action Completed
July 10, 2010 Deadline for Amendments to Original Proposal
July 15, 2010 Deadline for Submission of completed Request For Proposal
July 15-20, 2010 Review of Proposals
July 21 – 26, 2010 Acceptance Notices Sent
July 27 – 30, 2010 Contract Completion

Attachments:

1. Proposal Format
2. Parent University Strands

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 Request for Proposal Cover Sheet:

Proposal should be no more than four pages

Contact information

Organization:

Contact Person:

Address:

Email: Tel.

Proposed Class Title(s)

Strand Alignment: Parents are Teachers Parents are Advocates

Parents are Leaders Parents are Learners

Level of Training: Beginners Intermediate Advanced

To Be Presented:

Full Day Sessions: Fall Session Winter Session Spring Session

Intercessions: Fall (Nov. – Dec.) Winter (Feb.-Mar) Spring (Apr-May)

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Parent University Learning Session Proposals

Class Overview: (50 words or less)

Learning Objectives:
List Learning Objectives: What will participants know and/or be able to do by the end of this
class? (Knowledge; Skills; Application)

How will participants demonstrate they have met learning objectives?

How are the principles of adult learning incorporated into the learning session?

Provide an outline of the session, include description of learning activities: