The Education Alliance holds an annual Education Summit that brings the broader community together to support education in Waco. The speakers, break-out sessions, and studies explain the eight assumptions listed below. These assumptions are eight research based critical points in children’s and youths’ educational development. Through education about these age-developmental stages, we enable our community to educate Waco’s children more effectively.
In an effort to bring our annual Summits out into the community and engage parents and families, we have begun hosting Community Events. These events are free, open to the entire community and focus on issues relating to community involvement, parenting and children’s educational success.
October 3, 2011: The Community Event on Meaningful Involvement
After the first Community Event’s success in June, The Education Alliance opened the doors of the new University High School for the second event with guest speaker Ako Kambon. The event attracted a little over 500 parents and children.
The evening began with a sponsored dinner from Fazoli’s followed by the presentation, “We’re all in this Together,” by Ako Kambon.
During Mr. Kambon’s presentation, free childcare was provided by EOAC-Headstart. Children enjoyed Hip Hop dancing, Zumba, face painting and culinary class. After the presentation, door prizes were awarded to lucky attendees.
Community Event Video, produced by WCCC-TV
Thank you to our sponsors and the Education Alliance Parent Leadership Partners who helped plan and implement the event:
- Baylor University Mayborn Museum
- Best Western Atrea
- Bird-Kultgen Ford
- Brazos Education Foundation
- City of Waco
- Dominos
- Education Service Center Region 12
- Family Abuse Center
- Fazoli’s
- GEAR UP
- Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce
- H-E-B
- KWBU
- L.I.F.T.
- LEAF
- McLennan County Health District
- Methodist Children’s Home
- New York Life Insurance Company
- Parents for Public Schools
- Partners-Friends of McLennan County
- Restoration Haven
- Sonic (Bagby)
- Waco Foundation
- Waco ISD and University High School staff, faculty and students
- Waco Family YMCA
June 27 & 28, 2011: The Community Event on Child Success
With two opportunities to attend this event, over 400 people benefitted from Dr. Rita Pierson’s insight and presentations on the impact of engaged parents on the success of their children. The talks featured parenting tips on taking charge, gaining a support system and championing your school district.
Free childcare was provided by EOAC for parents wishing to attend Dr. Pierson’s discussion. Results from the evaluation of the evenings were as follows:
The Education Alliance is composed of major community entities, both public and private, that sustain major community initiatives, (Baylor, TSTC, MCC, Workforce, Healthcare, Schools, Chambers, City of Waco, Foundations, etc.) and who are working to align, leverage and link existing and emerging educational services that ensure the community is:
- Sending children (of all ages) to school ready to learn
- Ensuring students are fully prepared for post secondary education
- Ensuring that young people plan and complete their post secondary goals (affording educational achievement that ensures preparation for meaningful, productive employment).
Stakeholder groups including businesses, nonprofits, extracurricular organizations, parents, educators, faith communities, scholarship providers, media groups, government agencies, health care providers, and students are engaged in strategizing and implementing community efforts that address gaps in services.