Parents are key partners in their children’s education—teaching and learning begins in the home—yet too often, parent involvement remains an untapped resource.

As superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Rudy Crew made it a priority to engage parents. He established The Parent Academy, a free, year-round, parent engagement and skill building program. TIME recently highlighted the nationally-acclaimed program which has served more than 120,000 parents in Miami through workshops, family learning events, informational sessions, and automated phone calls.

Dr. Crew initiated partnerships with the private sector, higher education, government entities, and a wide range of community-based organizations to launch The Parent Academy in 2005. These partnerships enhanced outreach to parents and provided a clearinghouse for integrating information on the many community resources and support systems available to families.

The Parent Academy model is now being replicated by school districts across the nation.

To read the TIME article, “To Help the Kids, Parents Go Back to School,” click here.