Increasingly, parents are playing a larger role in the transformation of schools and school districts. In cities across the country-Baltimore, Chicago, New Orleans, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington-and many states, parents and parent groups are forming coalitions, lobbying lawmakers, creating new schools, and generally bringing about school change.

But this hasn't always been the case, and it's certainly not the case in many school districts, where underserved communities of minority, low-income, and rural families don't always have the tools to become involved. And schools can be at loss for how to empower parents to increase student achievement.

How can the forces at play come together to create an environment where parents play an active and positive role in school improvement? And what obligation does the federal government have in playing a helpful role? Our guests will explore the necessary levers that schools and parents can use to drive real change.

Arnold F. Fege, president, Public Advocacy for Kids, Washington, D.C.

Alberto Retana, executive vice president, Community Coalition, Los Angeles

Karran Harper Royal, parent advocate, New Orleans

This webinar will be moderated by Elizabeth Rich, commentary editor for Education Week