"Standards 101" is a useful event to communicate with parents about the importance of standards and how they can improve the academic performance of their own children. This is an approximately 1.5 hour, interactive meeting for a group of 30-40 parents that explains the basics of standards, builds support for the school'’ use of standards, and includes parent handouts with ideas about how to help their children achieve to standards.

This tool can be used or adapted by principals, PTA/PTO leaders, grade-level parent leaders, teacher leaders, or others. The event is appropriate for groups larger than 40 but will require larger spaces and additional facilitators.

In addition to the handouts in this tool, it may be helpful to have handouts of your district's academic and performance standards, preferably in parent-friendly language. You may also want to have on hand manipulatives and other materials for the "Standards in the Classroom" activity.