The Abbott Leadership Institute (ALI) has just begun its eighth year of classes designed to teach education advocacy skills to Newark parents and community members. This semester, which runs from September through December, ALI turns its attention to the Newark Board of Education.

The title of the current series of Saturday morning classes is “Parents, Politics & Power: What does it take to win the Newark School Board Election?” Each class is devoted to a specific topic, such as “History of the Elected School Board” and “Political Bosses vs. Community Campaign Organizations.”

ALI classes run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are held in Room 100 in Conklin Hall or the Dean's Lounge at Ackerson Hall at Rutgers Newark. Participants who attend four or more of the six classes per semester receive a certificate of completion at a graduation ceremony.

ALI chose its focus for this fall because only 5-10% of registered voters participate in the April election that decides who will serve on the Newark Advisory School Board. In keeping with ALI’s commitment to parent empowerment, classes will also provide concrete information about school board campaigns and getting out the vote on Election Day. The issues confronting the Newark Public Schools, and therefore any board candidate, will also be discussed.

“Our primary goal is to improve the education of children,” said Junius Williams, ALI's Director.“That is possible only with informed parental involvement. ALI parents are able to navigate the system and build relationships with people who can help them and their children.”

ALI classes are open to parents, students, educators and everyone else interested in urban education. For more information about the current class series or about ALI, visit www.abbottleadership.org.

Prepared: September 22, 2009