According to a 2024 report by the Pew Research Center, most K-12 public school teachers believe parent involvement in their children’s education is lacking. In a recent survey, 79% of teachers reported that parents do too little to hold their children accountable for misbehavior in school, 68% said parents don’t provide enough help with schoolwork, and 63% noted insufficient efforts in ensuring their children attend school regularly. (Parker and Horowitz Teachers' Views of Parent Involvement) While the problem is less pronounced in low-poverty schools, the consensus is clear—parent involvement is crucial to a student’s success.
In Alabama’s charter school sector, however, there are parents who are defying these trends. These parents are not only involved in their children’s education but have taken on leadership roles to drive meaningful change in their schools. Among them are five dedicated parents, all members of New Schools for Alabama’s Alabama Charter Schools Parent Voice Network (Parent Voice). These parents exemplify what it means to take action, stepping up to become advocates for better communication, support, and resources in their schools. Below, we share their inspiring stories.
1. Melodie Scott – Advocating for a Welcoming School Environment
School: Legacy Prep
Role: PTA President
Melodie Scott is a firm believer in being present and active in her children’s education. As the PTA president at Legacy Prep located in Birmingham Alabama, she volunteers willingly whenever needed, not just for her daughter’s teacher, but for all the staff.
"I believe that if parents advocate for all children and teachers, the school environment would be more welcoming and less distracting," Melodie explains. Her advocacy journey began when her daughter’s first year was challenging due to an underdeveloped special education department. Melodie stepped up, asking questions and ensuring that her daughter received the resources she needed. This built a strong bond between her and the school staff.
Despite the hurdles of low parent participation, Melodie continues to reach out, encouraging other parents to get involved. Her next goal? To build up the PTA and increase parent participation, fostering a more united and supportive school community.
2. Keara Noy – Creating a New Atmosphere for Success
School: I3 Academy
Role: Parent Voice Fellow and PTA Member
When Keara Noy’s son was being bullied in the third grade at a local city school, she sought out a new environment where he could thrive. That’s when she discovered I3 Academy located in Birmingham, Alabama. As part of the school’s first fourth-grade cohort, Keara quickly became involved, joining the PTA and forming relationships with staff.
"I had no idea what a charter school was when we first joined," Keara admits. But her curiosity led her to become a Parent Voice Fellow, where she learned more about the charter school model and became a stronger advocate. As an event planner, she contributed by decorating school events and participating in Career Day.
Keara acknowledges that, like many schools, I3 Academy could benefit from more parent resources. She hopes to collaborate with the school to provide resources that will help parents support their children’s education in the future.
4. Ida Evans – Championing Clear and Consistent Communication
School: Accel Academy
Role: Parenting Coordinator
Ida Evans knew she had to step up when she saw the lack of parental involvement at Accel Academy. As the Parenting Coordinator, she has worked tirelessly to address one of the school's biggest hurdles: inconsistent communication between parents and the school.
"Clear and consistent communication is essential for building successful relationships," Ida says. She has made it her mission to ensure that parents are well-informed and that their concerns are heard. Though the communication effort is still a work in progress, Ida is dedicated to developing strategies that will foster a stronger, more collaborative environment.
Her goal for the future is to continue building an effective parental support system through increased communication and involvement, ensuring that every parent feels connected to their child’s education.
5. Christina Hill-Lapsley – Promoting Parent Support and Resources
School: Breakthrough Charter School
Role: Office Manager and Parent Advocate
Christina Hill-Lapsley is not only the office manager at Breakthrough Charter School located in Marion, Alabama, but she is also a passionate advocate for parent support. Her work includes promoting parent engagement and providing resources like donated uniforms to families in need.
"Listening to our students motivates me to bring resources to families," she shares. Christina’s goal is to start monthly PTA meetings, creating a space where parents can collaborate and support one another. She is deeply committed to building a strong parent community at Breakthrough Charter School and ensuring that every student has the support they need to succeed.
6. Jametrice McAdams – Empowering Parents Through Data and Advocacy
School: Empower Community School
Role: Lead Parent and PTO Secretary
Jametrice McAdams has taken on multiple leadership roles at Empower Community School. As a lead parent and PTO secretary, she advocates for meaningful parent engagement, understanding that parents are a powerful resource for bridging learning gaps.
This past summer, Jametrice played a key role in organizing a Parent Data Workshop after hearing concerns from other parents about their children’s benchmark testing results. "Our leaders were open to collaborating with parents to create a hands-on workshop," she explains. The workshop helped parents understand their children's academic performance and the school’s improvement plans.
Her efforts didn’t stop there. Jametrice continues to build parent power by encouraging participation in school board meetings and recruiting other parents to become involved in school activities. Her goal is to expand the parent community, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the school continues to grow as a hub for both student and parent success.
The stories of these five parents are a testament to the impact that parental involvement can have on a school community. Whether through organizing events, advocating for better communication, or working directly with school leadership, these parents have shown that when parents step up, meaningful change follows.
Their work as members of Parent Voice demonstrates how collaboration between parents, teachers, and administrators can create a more supportive, welcoming, and effective learning environment for all students. These parents are not just advocates for their own children—they are champions for every student in Alabama’s charter schools.
Parker, Kim, and Juliana Menasce Horowitz. “ Teachers’ Views of Parent Involvement.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 4 Apr. 2024, www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/04/04/teachers-views-of-parent-involvement/.
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