In 2023, the Utah legislature established the position of Parent Liaison and Engagement Specialist, which works directly for the Utah State Board of Education. The role requires the specialist to field questions from individuals seeking information about public schools and parents’ rights.
Currently, Cassie Hays fills this role. She makes herself available for questions and oversees a Parent Portal on the Utah State Board of Education website, which provides valuable resources.
In this wave of focus on parents’ rights, as seen in the recent SCOTUS ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor, the ongoing challenge to the Utah Fits All Scholarship program, and the Sutherland Institute’s certificate program to reward parent-friendly district websites, we wanted to learn more from her.
Below, we share Hays’ responses to a set of written inquiries from Christine Cooke Fairbanks to help others learn about her role.
Fairbanks: Your role as Parent Liaison and Engagement Specialist involves working directly with Utah parents who have students enrolled in Utah’s public education system. What’s your objective in this role each day? What are the most common interactions/questions you have from parents or Utah public schools?
Hays: As the Parent Liaison and Engagement Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education, my primary objective is to assist parents with knowledge and tools they need to navigate the public school system effectively.
I help parents understand their rights within public education and equip them with strategies for effective communication with local education agencies and public schools. My role also involves connecting families with valuable resources and clarifying how legislation and Utah State Board of Education rules may impact their specific circumstances.
I address a wide range of parent inquiries, from guiding families through the process of filing formal complaints with the Utah State Board of Education’s internal audit department to explaining the straightforward steps for navigating communication effectively with a school or district. No matter the question, I am here to help. If I don’t have an immediate answer, I am committed to finding the appropriate resources to support parents effectively.
Fairbanks: There’s a growing awareness and demand for parents’ rights both nationally and at the state level. There are more education choices than ever, and a recent U.S. Supreme Court case affirmed parent’s religious liberty and right to direct their children’s education. How are these discussions impacting your work? Have there been any significant shifts from the day you started up to today in what parents understand, expect, or ask?
Hays: Parents are increasingly aware of their rights and responsibilities within Utah’s education system. The nature of inquiries I receive often reflects current events and trends, but my guidance consistently aligns with state legislation and Utah State Board of Education rules. Generally, there’s almost always a statute, rule or policy to help parents navigate their concerns.
While there haven’t been significant shifts in the types of questions, the focus tends to vary based on prevailing issues within the state. For instance, some months bring a surge of questions about ESA scholarships, while others have bullying concerns or questions about homeschooling rights. Ultimately, parents are becoming more informed about school choice and their educational rights, and they’re actively seeking clarification on the issues they face.
Fairbanks: What are you anticipating will happen with parent engagement and parents’ rights issues as the federal role in education changes?
Hays: Honestly, I hope to see a systemic and sustainable shift towards greater parent and family engagement in education. Research consistently demonstrates that increased parent involvement leads to a multitude of positive outcomes, including: lower absenteeism, higher student achievement, increased teacher retention rates, and a more positive school culture.
When done correctly, meaningful parent engagement unequivocally strengthens schools and leads to better outcomes for students.
Fairbanks: Are there any misconceptions about what you do or can offer to parents or schools? If so, what are they, and how can people learn more about what you do?
Hays: A common misconception is that my role is solely to assist parents. This isn’t the case; I am a resource for Local Education Agencies (LEAs), school leaders, and teachers as well. Many professionals in the education system reach out with similar questions to those posed by parents, and I am here to provide support on all fronts.
I maintain a dedicated website page designed to foster more effective engagement for both LEAs and parents. I believe open communication is paramount, and I am always available to help.
Fairbanks: It seems like there could be a bandwidth issue with only having one Parent Liaison and Engagement Specialist in the state. What kind of support or resources are there for parents at the local district level if they have questions or concerns? What kind of support would you like to see more of at the district level?
Hays: Many districts and charter schools are increasingly dedicating personnel at the school level to assist parents in navigating local questions and concerns. This is a tremendous asset. Complementing this, the development of dedicated website pages for parents is equally valuable. These pages often offer clear information on opportunities for parent engagement within the school, curricular choice decisions and process, as well as easily accessible local policies and procedures that directly affect parents.
Such resources significantly benefit parents by reducing confusion and providing clarity. I strongly advocate for the establishment of more of these comprehensive webpages and resources at the local level. Having a knowledgeable individual who can guide parents on filing complaints, finding resources, and connecting with relevant contacts demonstrates a genuine commitment from schools and districts to engage parents beyond traditional events like book fairs and fundraisers.
Conclusion
The recent creation of the Parent Liaison and Engagement Specialist demonstrates that Utah policymakers are interested in helping parents understand and engage with the public education system. This effort is to be commended. It should also be built upon. The state needs additional resources and bandwidth for parents at the state and local level.
We look forward to the state of Utah increasing its efforts to strengthen parents’ rights and responsibilities and the parent-teacher partnership through public policymaking and private-entity leadership.
