New program sends parents back to class

FRESNO,Calif. (KFSN) -- As preschool children make their way to the classroom for the first time, so are some of their parents.

These parents are in the classroom and learning about how their own children are being educated by teachers in Fresno Unified.

"Once I went to the first class, I liked all the learning that has helped me," said Ivanna Ramirez. "Because I didn't know some of the stuff that they were teaching. I was like this is very interesting."

Ramirez is one of the parents taking part in the parent university program called early learning, which is aimed at the growing number of preschool parents. The district has expanded preschool to 80 percent of kids that live in the districts.

Miguel arias explained, "The kids learn the most when they are young, we need to make sure parents and students are on the same page on what and how they should be learning in the classroom and at home."

Arias is executive director of parent university, which helps connect parents to schools. The program is conducted in different languages like English, Spanish and Hmong at 75 different school sites to make sure parents can understand how the classroom works and the role everyone can play in helping students succeed.

"Our number one goal is to empower parents with the right information about our school system and how to help their kids because so they're more successful than we can make them by ourselves," added Arias.

"It's been helpful," said Ramirez. "Just to know what is it you need to learn with their reading schools, their communication, how they learn, what to do with them so they can improve."

And for Ramirez, she's already learned lessons she wants to instill in her five year old and take home to her other children.

The Early Learning program last Seven Weeks. Fresno Unified also offers Parent University for elementary, middle and high schools.