Table 1 -- Engaging Parents in Education: Lessons from Five Parental Information And Resource Centers

Table 1. Selected Characteristics of Highlighted Parental Information and Resource Centers

Parental Information and Resource Center (PIRC) and state	Organizational status (stand-alone or part of larger agency)	Staffing allocations ^a Full-time (FTE)Part-time (PTE)	Years of PIRC funding	Parent involvement strategies highlighted in guide
Academic Development Institute's PIRC, Ill.	Has functioned as a program of the Academic Development Institute.	5 FTEs, 5 PTEs, 4 consultants Also utilizes staff from larger parent organization.	1997 – 2006	Partner with community- and faith-based organizations to disseminate information Build a school community of parents and educators Help schools assess family friendliness Develop programs to assist parents of children with special needs
The Family Works, Md.	Has functioned as a program of the Family Services Agency, Inc., but has separate program name.	5 FTEs	1995 – 2006	Enlist and train community-based organizations to disseminate NCLB information Train parent leaders Provide partnership training and support for educators Support state-level parent advisory board efforts
Indiana Center for Family, School and Community Partnerships, Ind.	Stand-alone program.	4 FTEs, 3 PTEs	1998 – present	Establish parent centers Help schools assess family friendliness Provide training and support for parent liaisons Train parent leaders Establish and support father volunteer groups
Intercultural Development Research Association's PIRC, Tex.	Functions as a program ofIntercultural Development Research Association.	3 FTEs Also utilizes staff from larger parent organization.	1999 – present	Facilitate videoconferences Organize multi-sector convenings Facilitate dialogues between parents, teachers, and students Assist students in providing technical training to community Train parent leaders
Utah Family Center, Utah	Stand-alone program, with Utah State Parent-Teacher Association as its first fiscal agent.	14 FTEs, 11 part-time parent liaisons	1998 – present	Establish satellite parent centers Partner with the PTA to provide access to parents Train and support parent liaisons Provide partnership training for educators

^aPIRC data were collected in the three-year grant cycle ending on Dec. 31, 2006, so staffing numbers are reflective of this cycle.