State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett and the Indiana Department of Education today announced the creation of the Office of Parent and Community Engagement to increase statewide outreach among parents, guardians and community members on key education issues.

P.A.C.E. is committed to providing all parents, guardians and community members accurate, relevant information on education issues and to support community engagement in the education.

“Education is a team effort, and having engaged parents and community members working with our teachers and schools is vital for student success,” Bennett said. “We are excited to announce the creation of PACE and look forward to working alongside parents, community members and others to help Hoosier students succeed both in the classroom and in life.”

Jen Carlton is P.A.C.E.’s first Director of Parent and Community Outreach. Carlton is a graduate of Indiana University’s School of Education and a former first grade teacher. She most recently served as director of Indiana’s State Senate Internship Program and Indiana Leadership Forum.

“I am thrilled Jen Carlton is joining IDOE in this role,” Bennett said. “As a former educator and a mother of three, Jen understands both the challenges and the opportunities that exist in education for parent engagement. I firmly believe her experiences in and out of the classroom give her the skills and knowledge to improve parent and community engagement in Indiana’s education system.”

Already, P.A.C.E. offers several engagement opportunities for parents and the public, including opportunities to partner with parents around the state, recognize great parent leaders and community members for their commitment to education, and explore IDOE resources and information on key issues affecting our schools today.

For more information about P.A.C.E. and IDOE’s parent engagement efforts, visit www.doe.in.gov/news/engagement.