·         Parents and families are the most effective advocates for their children and must be continuously engaged to take the lead in organizing and advocating on behalf of their children;

·         Parents must be organized and empowered to affect change in the BPS;

·         Parents, families and students are a key source for identifying educational issues for organizing and mobilization;

·         Organizing which actively engages and supports low-income families and parents of color is critical to improve BPS and student achievement therein;

·         Educational organizing must actively solicit support from the broader community;

·         When existing community based organizations form alliances and coalitions that focus on building citywide strategies they can have a major  impact on education;

·         Collaboration among community  based organizations and parent organizing groups will provide linkages, and create a power base for parents to become more effective agents for school improvement;

·         Establishment of a network for community based organizations and parent organizing and advocacy groups can provide shared resources to develop leaders, exchange information and best practices, provide support and build citywide capacity.

Members of the Boston Parent Organizing Network share these beliefs and have agreed to act in accordance with the above principles.