Two fists bumping in solidarity, showing collaboration

Together, we can create a brighter future for all students.

As parents, we all want the best for our children, including a quality education that sets them up for success.

Unfortunately, the education system is not always fair and equitable, with some children having more access to resources and opportunities than others. This affects everyone, as it limits our children's potential and can lead to negative outcomes like lower graduation rates & fewer career opportunities.

That's where CPLAN comes in.

CPLAN (Collaborative Parent Leadership Action Network) is an organization of parents, led by parents of color, who are working to create a more equitable education system. Founded in 2016 in Boston by a group of parents who wanted to make a change, CPLAN has grown to a statewide coalition of over 1,000 educational stakeholders, including parents, educators, administrators, and policy makers. Our goal is to empower parents to become leaders in education advocacy and work towards creating policies and practices that are more equitable for all children.

Learn More

Our Model

Families:

CPLAN informs families about educational issues and the importance of advocacy for equitable education. We offer workshops on inequities in education, school culture impacts, and support for their child's educational journey.

Schools:

We inform schools about the impact of marginalization on students and families and collaborate with them to develop culturally sensitive and equitable practices, including with hiring. We also provide workshops on equitable family engagement.

Legislators:

CPLAN holds focus groups, community conversations, forums, and events to inform legislators about issues the community is facing and gather input on education matters.

Workshops

Families:

CPLAN inspires parents to take ownership of their child's educational experience and advocates for all students. We share what equitable education looks like and its possibilities, motivating parents to advocate for change.

Schools:

We inspire schools to recognize the talents and expertise parents bring to the table, increasing capacity and reaching more students. We also emphasize the power of incorporating stakeholder voices in decision-making.

Legislators:

CPLAN inspires legislators to get to know what their constituents need when designing programming and services

Families:

CPLAN empowers families to hold their school system accountable by providing support systems, guidance, and platforms to magnify their voices. We offer pathways for parents to become education advocates and use their voices in impactful spaces.

Schools:

We empower schools to create equity in education by developing culturally sensitive and equitable practices. We encourage them to include parents in designing policies, practices, and events.

Legislators:

CPLAN empowers legislators to use constituent input to inform their work in creating systemic change in education. We support them in addressing community needs through legislation and policies.

Become a Member

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Annoucements

Clean Water Access

Mass DEP is offering FREE and EASY drinking water lead testing through the Water Smart Program!

Encourage your child’s school or daycare center to take part.

To learn more and apply, they can:

Visit: www.mass.gov/assistance-program-for-lead-in-school-drinking-water
Call: (413)-545-0840

The different levels of education advocacy.webp

Join a Parent Council!

Visit our Parents' Guide to Advocacy to learn more about strategies, resources, and ideas to strengthen the parent voice in your child's school!

Contact us if you have questions about ensuring your parent council is diverse, representative of the student body, and effective at creating change in your child's school.