Explore PIQE’s 2025 Impact Report. This year, families across our communities grew in knowledge, confidence, and leadership, strengthening their role as partners in education and advocates for their children’s success. In a changing world, your support helped ensure that families remained at the center of educational opportunity, building pathways to achievement, equity, and lasting impact.
Table of Contents
- Message from the CEO
- How PIQE Began
- Our Mission and Values
- Families Are the Foundation of Student Success
- The Power of Family Engagement
- 2025 Impact Snapshot
- Shaping Futures in 2025
- Family Engagement Programs Overview
- The Stories Behind the Statistics
- Meeting Parents Where They Are
- Empowering Families Through School Partnerships
- National Partnerships and the CA-SFEC Impact
- From Struggle to Strength: A Parent’s Journey
- Rising Beyond Limits
- A Principal’s Perspective
- Meet Our Team
- Partnerships Rooted in Community
- What Our Partners Say About PIQE
- Our Partners
- Financial Snapshot
- Looking Ahead in 2026
Message from the CEO
Dear Friends,
As we reflect on 2025, I keep coming back to one simple truth, families are the foundation of student success. When families are supported, informed, and welcomed as true partners, students show up more consistently, engage more deeply, and begin to see a future that includes college, career pathways, and lasting opportunity.
This year has also reminded us how much families are carrying. Many of the families PIQE serves are navigating economic pressure, language access barriers, and the stress that comes with uncertainty, especially for immigrant, refugee, multilingual, and underresourced communities. In the middle of all that, families still show up with love, determination, and an unwavering commitment to their children. That commitment deserves a school system that listens, responds, and makes room for the family voice.
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PIQE exists to be a trusted bridge between families and schools, and today that matters more than ever. In 2025, PIQE impacted the lives of over 37,000 families through our programs and services, and we have impacted the lives of over 2.4 million students since our founding in 1987.
Through our programs and partnerships, PIQE equips families with the knowledge and confidence to support their children’s learning. We at PIQE are pleased to see that family engagement has gained the attention of educators, but not all family engagement is the same. For schools to see the greatest impact in student achievement, they need to be attentive to families not typically participating in schools. That is the PIQE difference. And through our Parent Ambassador and alumni initiatives, many families continue their leadership long after completing a program, strengthening their schools and communities.
Thank you for walking alongside our families this year. Your partnership helps turn barriers into pathways and hope into opportunity for the next generation.
With gratitude,
Dr. Ryan E. Alcantara
Interim CEO and President
Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)
How PIQE Began
Dr. Alberto Ochoa was a young educator and professor at San Diego State University when he began to notice a troubling pattern in the schools around him. Latino children were being labeled as behind, disengaged, or at risk, yet the conversations about their struggles rarely included the people who knew them best, their families. As a scholar, Dr. Ochoa understood the research. As a son of his community, he understood something deeper. Families were being talked about, but not talked with.
In the late 1980s, Dr. Ochoa began spending more time listening to parents whose children were struggling in school. He heard stories of long work hours, language barriers, unfamiliar school systems, and parents who deeply cared but felt shut out of classrooms and decisions. He shared these concerns with Rev. Vahac Mardirosian, a trusted community leader, and together they wondered what might happen if schools stopped assuming what families lacked and instead asked what families needed.
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In 1987, alongside District Superintendent Tom Payzant, they invited a small group of parents to what was meant to be a two hour conversation about student learning. Only a dozen parents were expected. Instead, families kept coming. The dialogue was raw and real, filled with frustration, hope, and determination. What began as a single meeting stretched into eight weekly sessions, eventually drawing more than 90 families. Over those weeks, parents identified 54 specific challenges standing in the way of their children’s success, challenges rooted in home, school, and community systems that were not built with them in mind.
Dr. Ochoa took those concerns back to his work at the university. With Patricia Mayer, a teacher and psychologist, he carefully translated the families’ words into action. Together, they designed a series of practical workshops for K through 12 parents, not to tell families what to do, but to equip them with information, confidence, and agency. Those workshops became the foundation of what is now PIQE’s Signature Family Engagement Program.
Nearly four decades later, PIQE has grown to reach families across all 58 counties in California and has a national presence in 14 states. Yet the heart of the work remains unchanged. PIQE continues to begin where it always has, by listening to families, trusting their wisdom, and standing beside them as partners in their children’s education. What started with one educator’s refusal to look away has become a legacy of empowerment, advocacy, and opportunity for millions of families and children.
Our Mission and Values
At PIQE, we provide families with the knowledge and skills to partner with schools and communities to ensure their children achieve their full potential. PIQE is dedicated to achieving economic and social equality for all through education.
EMPOWERMENT
Those we serve have the potential to create the solutions they need.
INCLUSION
We embrace all people with compassion and celebrate their unique identities.
RESPECT
We honor the values and perspectives of others.
LEARNING
With greater knowledge comes true lasting power.
RESPONSIBILITY
Our mutual commitment to shared goals and success.
Families Are the Foundation of Student Success
Families are the foundation of student success. When families are informed, confident, and engaged, children are more likely to attend school consistently, persist through challenges, and envision pathways to college, careers, and economic mobility. Yet too often, families face systemic barriers such as language access gaps, unfamiliar school systems, economic pressures, and limited opportunities to meaningfully participate in their children’s education. Family engagement is not an extra support, it is a critical driver of equity and long term outcomes.
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In 2025, PIQE’s role is more important than ever. As schools and communities navigate economic uncertainty, shifting education policies, and growing needs among immigrant, multilingual, and under-resourced families, PIQE stands as a trusted bridge between families and schools. Through culturally responsive programs, research informed practices, and partnerships across California and beyond, PIQE equips families with knowledge, leadership skills, and voice.
Acknowledgement of Culture and Families
PIQE honors immigrant, refugee, multilingual, and under-resourced families whose resilience, courage, and dedication to their children shape our communities and schools. Many families navigate language barriers, economic hardship, migration journeys, and unfamiliar education systems, yet continue to advocate fiercely for their children’s learning and future. Their cultures, home languages, and lived experiences are strengths that enrich classrooms and build more inclusive, responsive schools.
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We believe families are their children’s first and most important teachers, and our work is grounded in partnership, dignity, and shared leadership. We are committed to working alongside families to ensure they are seen, heard, and empowered as essential partners in advancing educational equity and opportunity for all.
Parent Spotlight
Thanks to PIQE I felt well prepared going into the Parent-Teacher conference, and as the teacher went through my son’s reports I understood everything much better, and I could follow along with confidence. Plus, I had a couple of well-thought-out questions ready. It made the whole experience much smoother and less intimidating.”
The Power of Family Engagement
At the heart of PIQE’s work is the belief that family engagement is one of the most powerful drivers of student success and educational equity. For too long, family engagement has been treated as an add on, limited to attendance at events or compliance with school expectations. PIQE’s approach starts from a different place. Families already care deeply about their children’s education. What they often lack is access to clear information, meaningful relationships with schools, and opportunities to build confidence and voice within systems that were not designed with them in mind. Family engagement, when done well, is not a checklist. It is a shared responsibility and a long term investment in trust, partnership, and opportunity.
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PIQE’s model draws primarily from the Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships, developed by Dr. Karen L. Mapp and Dr. Anne T. Henderson. This framework recognizes that authentic engagement requires growth on both sides of the partnership. Families build knowledge, skills, confidence, and connections, while educators and school systems build the capacity to listen, share power, and create welcoming environments that honor families’ cultures and experiences. PIQE embraces this mutual approach, understanding that strong partnerships are formed not by asking more of families alone, but by reshaping how schools and communities engage with them.
Through structured, multi-week programs, PIQE supports families in developing the capacities outlined in the Dual Capacity framework. Families gain practical knowledge about how school systems work, how academic and postsecondary pathways are shaped, and how decisions and policies affect their children. At the same time, programs are designed to strengthen confidence, relationships, and leadership skills, helping families move from participation to advocacy. Dialogue, reflection, and peer learning are central to this process, reinforcing the idea that families are not passive recipients of information, but active contributors to their school communities.
This approach is grounded in research and reinforced by results. Longitudinal studies show that students whose caregivers participate in PIQE programming graduate high school and enroll in college at higher rates than their peers. These outcomes reflect what families and educators consistently experience, when families are informed, respected, and empowered, students thrive. By aligning research, practice, and lived experience, PIQE continues to demonstrate that investing in family capacity and school partnership is not supplemental to educational improvement, it is essential to achieving lasting equity and opportunity.
2025 Snapshot
Since 1987
Shaping Futures in 2025
Family Engagement Programs Overview
Signature Family Engagement Program (K–12)
An 8-week program empowering families to support their children’s education, focusing on well-being, digital literacy, and college readiness.
Bridge to College Program (Grades 11–12)
A 4-week program helping families support their student’s transition to college, including academics, finances, and campus life.
Family Leadership Program (K–12)
A 6-week program empowering families to collaborate with schools and advocate for student success.
Civic Engagement Program (K–12)
An 8-week Spanish-language program preparing families to engage with schools and advocate for community change.
STEM Program (K–12)
A 4-week program introducing families to STEM through hands-on activities, career pathways, and educational opportunities.
Social Emotional Learning Program (K–12)
An 8-week program helping families build students’ emotional intelligence and academic success using practical, empathy-based strategies.
Educator’s Workshop (K–12)
A workshop for educators focused on building strong family partnerships using the Dual Capacity Building Framework.
Early Childhood Development Program (Ages 0–5)
An 8-week program helping families nurture early learning, focusing on literacy, math, and school readiness.
Family Literacy Program (PreK–3rd Grade)
An 8-week program providing tools to support early literacy development from preschool through 3rd grade.
Family Childcare Providers Program (Early Childhood Educators)
A 5-week program teaching strategies to support early development, mental health, and trauma-informed care.
New Programs
This year, we added two new programs to our Menu of Services to expand family learning opportunities: the Family Math Together Program and the Family Financial Literacy Program. These initiatives engage families in hands-on learning at home while providing practical skills that support family well-being.
Family Math Together Program (K–5th Grade)
For many families, math can be a source of stress rather than connection. To address this, PIQE developed the Family Math Together Program to reduce math anxiety, rebuild confidence, and engage families in meaningful, everyday math learning.
The program helps families build a strong foundation in mathematics, especially during the elementary years. Parents and caregivers learn how math connects to daily life, how to support their children’s learning at home, and how to foster positive attitudes that reduce math anxiety. By completing the program, families gain confidence in supporting their students’ math learning and help children see themselves as capable math learners.
Family Financial Literacy Program (K–12)
Families across the United States are facing growing financial pressures that affect both daily life and long-term stability. Without strong financial skills, households are more likely to carry high-cost debt, struggle with repayment, and experience stress tied to financial decisions.
The Family Financial Literacy Program helps parents and caregivers build the knowledge and habits needed to make smart financial choices. Families learn practical tools for budgeting, saving, credit, loans, fraud protection, and teaching financial responsibility across generations. The program’s goal is to reduce financial stress, improve stability, and prepare families for a secure future.
The Stories Behind the Statistics
This year, PIQE’s research and evaluation work offered a clear throughline across multiple studies. Families remain deeply invested in their children’s education, but they continue to navigate systems shaped by safety concerns, uneven access, and limited responsiveness to their lived realities.
The Spring 2025 Family Needs Assessment captured the voices of 57 parents and caregivers across PIQE’s seven regional offices. Safety surfaced as a daily concern rather than a theoretical one. One parent described her daughter’s experience at school bathrooms, explaining that “she has to crouch down because if you look up, it looks like a cloud, and she comes out with a headache.” Others noted that drug activity on campus has become so normalized that students recognize it by smell and avoid certain areas altogether. Parents also linked safety to surrounding neighborhood conditions, with one caregiver recalling an incident involving an unsheltered individual and saying, “Imagine if it hadn’t been me as a parent, but just a student. We don’t know what kind of danger could have happened.”
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Economic pressure was a constant backdrop in these conversations. Nearly two thirds of participating families reported annual household incomes below $60,000, and almost one quarter earned under $20,000. One parent summed up how these pressures show up at home: “Rent keeps going up, food is extremely expensive, and even the kids start to worry. They notice what’s going on.” Parents described how housing instability, irregular work, and rising costs affect attendance, mental health, and their ability to stay engaged with schools.
While the Family Needs Assessment highlighted current challenges, PIQE’s 2024 Longitudinal Academic Impact Study examined long term outcomes. Conducted with the Center for Equity and Biliteracy Education Research at San Diego State University, the study found that 91 percent of students whose caregivers completed PIQE’s Signature Family Engagement Program graduated from high school, and 56.6 percent enrolled in college. These findings demonstrate that sustained family engagement is associated with measurable academic success over time.
Attendance in the early grades emerged as another critical indicator. PIQE’s Early Learner Attendance report showed that chronic absenteeism, defined as missing ten percent or more of instructional days, remains elevated in transitional kindergarten and kindergarten, particularly for students from historically underserved communities. Families cited health concerns, transportation challenges, and confusion about attendance expectations for young learners, reinforcing that early attendance is closely tied to communication and trust with families.
Finally, statewide polling conducted with The Century Foundation placed these findings in a broader context. The report What Families Want found that nearly nine in ten families with multilingual children believe it is important for schools to support students in maintaining their home language. Despite this strong demand, many families reported limited access to bilingual and dual language programs, pointing to a gap between family priorities and program availability.
Taken together, this year’s research underscores a consistent message. Families are ready to partner and advocate, but systems must be more responsive, accessible, and aligned with the realities families face if that partnership is to translate into equitable outcomes.
Meeting Parents Where They Are
This year, PIQE expanded its educational offerings to better serve parents and caregivers statewide, hosting more free webinars than ever before. In collaboration with our partners, these sessions delivered timely information on financial aid and FAFSA, student loans, mental health, Know Your Rights, emergency preparedness, and other critical topics—equipping families with knowledge that supports both academic success and overall well-being.
In partnership with trusted community organizations—including the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), Californians Together (CalTog), the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Didi Hirsch, and the Student Debt Crisis Center—we offer focused learning opportunities and live Q&A sessions in a safe, judgment-free space.
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With 200 to 400 parents attending each webinar, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Families gain valuable resources and direct access to expertise, our partners expand their statewide reach, and parents feel heard when we respond to their feedback and address the issues that matter most to them.
2025 also brought significant challenges for our communities, and our collective response reflected who we are as an organization—resilient, compassionate, and deeply committed to showing up in times of crisis.
As families were impacted by the Palisades and Altadena fires, PIQE partnered with the Inglewood Airport Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Dodgers to distribute essential supplies. In collaboration with the LA Sparks, we also provided families affected by the Altadena fire with a day centered on care, restoration, and connection—along with financial support to help them begin rebuilding what was lost.
Our advocacy and civic engagement efforts also reached new heights. PIQE hosted a Family Tech Summit to help close the digital divide and ensure families have the tools necessary to support student learning. In Bakersfield, we convened a roundtable on federal education budget changes, underscoring the importance of protecting educational access for working families and elevating parent voices in critical policy conversations.
Marking a powerful milestone, we hosted our first-ever Parent Ambassador Retreat, bringing parents together for leadership development, advocacy training, and community building.
Empowering Families Through School Partnerships
Four years ago, the SMFCSD, received a grant to transform five of its schools into community schools. Led by Dr. Christian Rubalcaba, Assistant Superintendent, the goal was to increase academic achievement, expand student services, empower historically disconnected families, and dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline that disproportionately affects students of color. As neighborhood hubs, community schools bring together families, educators, and community partners to provide high-quality instruction with health and wellness supports, enrichment opportunities, and resources that address barriers to learning and help every child thrive.
Family engagement was a central focus. With support from the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, the district chose to partner with PIQE. “We knew we needed a strong family engagement component,” Jeannette explained, and PIQE delivered on that goal.
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To support this goal, the district has offered several courses, including PIQE’s Signature Family Engagement Program and the Social-Emotional Learning Program. Soon, all five schools will also participate in the Family Literacy Program.
Through PIQE, the district aims to cultivate a strong, informed group of parent leaders. “We want parents to go through the program so they feel empowered,” she said. “When they participate in committees or other school activities, they should have some prior knowledge of the issues being discussed. The program helps make them aware and confident, so they can fully engage in the process and feel part of the community.”
The impact has been clear. For example, as the district undergoes a strategic planning process, parents are actively contributing to decisions that shape their own schools. “Many parents are saying, ‘I’m on this committee because I learned so much from PIQE,’” Jeannette shares. “Whether it’s DELAC, ELAC, or other meetings, parents are showing up with confidence and purpose.”
One of the most powerful lessons from the partnership, Jeannette says, is the sense of community that forms. “Parents are there to learn, but they’re also there to build relationships. That connection matters.”
She enthusiastically recommends PIQE to other districts. “One hundred percent,” she said. “It builds confidence with our families and opens doors to our schools. It’s a way for parents to step in and say, ‘Oh wow, I do belong to this school!’”
Principal Spotlight
“Working with PIQE to bring a 4-week STEM parent course to our community was a wonderful experience! The sessions were offered in both Spanish and English, which made them accessible and inclusive for all of our families. It was not only informative but also a lot of fun—a great opportunity for parents to connect with one another while learning how to support their children’s STEM education and future careers.”
National Partnerships and the CA-SFEC Impact
This year, PIQE deepened its national footprint through strategic partnerships and its leadership of the California Statewide Family Engagement Center (CA-SFEC), strengthening connections between local practice and national dialogue. These efforts positioned California as both a contributor to and beneficiary of cross state learning focused on family engagement, language access, and educational equity.
Through the CA-SFEC, PIQE worked closely with national partners to elevate California practitioners and amplify family-centered approaches beyond state borders. A key moment came at the National Assembly for Family Engagement in Education conference, where the CA-SFEC sponsored and supported a delegation of more than 20 California family engagement leaders. Their participation created space for practitioners to share best practices, build relationships, and bring back strategies that continue to shape family engagement work across county offices and local education agencies. With NAFSCE announcing its 2026 national assembly in San Diego, California is now positioned as a hub for national collaboration in the field.
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PIQE and the CA-SFEC also partnered with NAFSCE to launch statewide Communities of Practice, creating structured spaces for family engagement practitioners to collaborate, problem solve, and learn from one another across regions. These sessions strengthened professional networks and reinforced the value of practitioner led learning as a driver of continuous improvement.
Beyond NAFSCE, PIQE maintained an active presence in national and regional forums focused on bilingual education and family engagement. PIQE presented at NABE and CABE, contributing to conversations on multilingual learner success, culturally responsive practice, and the critical role families play in advancing student outcomes. These engagements ensured that PIQE’s on the ground experience informed broader policy and practice discussions, while also bringing national perspectives back to California communities.
At the local level, the CA-SFEC complemented its national work with direct support to regional partners, including sponsoring convenings such as the San Bernardino County Family Engagement Summit and contributing resources that strengthen local capacity. This dual focus on national alignment and local implementation reflects PIQE’s approach to partnership, connecting systems level strategy with community rooted practice.
Looking ahead, PIQE and the CA-SFEC are focused on expanding statewide alignment, increasing practitioner training opportunities, advancing policy recommendations, and serving as a central resource hub for family engagement across California. Through national partnerships and cross state collaboration, PIQE continues to connect family voices to larger systems, reinforcing the idea that effective family engagement is both locally grounded and nationally shared.
From Struggle to Strength: A Parent’s Journey
Isaura Laguna thought she had reached her limit. After years of ups and downs with her son, Omar, she was convinced there was nothing else to do. “I gave up,” she says honestly.
Originally from Chiapas, Isaura arrived in Palmdale, California, 23 years ago. Like many parents, she believed she would always be there for her five children—but her second son presented challenges that pushed her to exhaustion.
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By ninth grade, Omar was struggling. He stopped turning in assignments, skipped classes, and his grades began to fall. Eventually, challenges related to marijuana use and involvement in fights kept him from attending school altogether. He was placed in an independent study program at home, but even that arrangement failed to bring the change his family had hoped for.
“I reached a point where I gave up and thought, if he wants to continue like that, that’s his problem, not mine,” she shared. Today, she laughs at the memory. “Of course, it was my problem—he’s my son—but I was so tired.”
Things began to change when Isaura attended PIQE’s Social-Emotional Learning workshops. “Something clicked for me,” she said. “They helped me see things differently.” In the workshops, Isaura found something she had been missing: support and reassurance. “Sometimes you don’t know where to turn,” she added, “and I realized I wasn’t alone.”
Through PIQE, Isaura also learned new ways to communicate with Omar—listening without imposing, having conversations instead of arguments, and letting go of rigid authority to build mutual understanding. “So many of us come from an old-school way of parenting,” Isaura reflects. “We often believe our children should obey without questioning us, but that doesn’t really work.”
She also gained insight into adolescent development and the cultural, generational, and language differences that can complicate parent-child relationships, which significantly strengthened her ability to support her son.
The changes weren’t instant, but they were real. “His personality didn’t completely change,” Isaura says, “but our communication improved a lot. Now, when we talk, we understand each other.” Omar’s grades improved, and perhaps more importantly, he noticed that his mother was taking classes to help him. “That really surprised him,” she recalls. “And he felt proud.”
Today, Omar is in 12th grade. He’s thinking seriously about his future, working with his school counselor, exploring a career in Aviation Maintenance Technology, and learning about financial aid options like FAFSA.
What began as a moment of surrender became a new beginning. Through PIQE, Isaura gained the knowledge and tools that empowered her to approach parenting differently. She learned that change is possible—not overnight, but through intention, effort, and connection.
Rising Beyond Limits
Gabriela Orellana always knew she wanted to care for others. Today, at 19 years old, she is a sophomore at the University of San Francisco, where she is studying Nursing and dreams of becoming a pediatrician. Her journey to this point, however, was not an easy one.
Gabriela entered the U.S. school system in kindergarten as a fully Spanish-speaking student and was classified as an English Learner. Throughout her schooling, she excelled academically and was widely regarded as a strong student. Confident that she was doing everything necessary to prepare for college, she moved steadily through school. It wasn’t until her junior year of high school—through her mother’s participation in PIQE workshops—that Gabriela learned she needed to be reclassified and complete additional courses or risk not graduating.
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Her world was turned upside down. Her academic workload became overwhelming as she worked to meet last-minute requirements. “There were moments when I doubted if I would be able to graduate,” she recalled. With the guidance and support of her school counselor, Gabriela successfully completed high school.
Through PIQE, Emérita Monterroso, Gabriela’s mother, gained critical knowledge about the U.S. education system, the college application process, and available financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Equipped with this information, she became a powerful source of encouragement for her daughter, pushing her to aim higher and not limit her aspirations.
With that support, Gabriela enrolled in a university she had never imagined attending and secured a generous scholarship. “That was the only school that actually had the program I wanted to pursue, but I never thought I would be able to attend a private university,” she shared.
Given the high cost of housing near campus, Gabriela has chosen to live at home in Stockton. She commutes daily to San Francisco, combining driving and public transportation. The journey is long and requires early mornings, but she remains determined to make the most of this opportunity. Throughout it all, her mother remains a constant source of support—checking in about exams, celebrating milestones, and encouraging her even during the earliest hours of the day.
Gabriela firmly believes her path would have looked very different without her mother’s involvement. “I never imagined she would be the one helping me through this process, because I was usually the one teaching her,” she said. “If my mom hadn’t attended the PIQE workshops, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
A Principal’s Perspective
When Principal Jonathan Waggle reflects on the impact of PIQE at his school, he speaks about parents’ transformation — about a cultural change.
He describes parents who once felt unsure about navigating the school system and kept a low profile, now confidently walking into the counselor’s office prepared to advocate for their children.
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“Many parents would just ‘hand off’ school responsibilities to the school itself, not out of indifference, but because they lacked the confidence to engage. As a result, students missed out on many opportunities,” explained the principal of Tracy High School in Tracy, California. “The school had this need. We saw that as an opportunity, and we took it,” he said, referring to offering the PIQE workshops to their families.
In the 2023–2024 school year, the school launched PIQE’s Signature Family Engagement Program. The response from families was overwhelmingly positive. Encouraged by their enthusiasm and growth, the school expanded programming the following year to include the Bridge to College program.
“I’ve seen a big difference. I see those families here on campus who before would have been silent, waiting quietly in the attendance office. Now they greet me, come into my office, and we sit and talk,” he said. The shift is visible — and profound.
Principal Waggle sees the partnership with PIQE as essential to student success. School progress is measured by test scores, graduation rates, and college readiness indicators. Students whose families feel disconnected from the system are part of those outcomes, too. “If you have a group of families that are not informed of, aware of, or able to take advantage of the services you’re offering, ultimately that reflects poorly on the school,” said Mr. Waggle. He adds that when parents understand how schools operate, they are better equipped to support their children, strengthening not only individual achievement but overall school performance.
To fellow school leaders, he says: “Why wouldn’t you do it?”
Educators work tirelessly to support students during the school day. “PIQE is a way of addressing areas that we don’t serve during the day. It is a way to help our parents so they can help our students, which helps us and our community. It’s that simple.”
This year, the partnership between PIQE and Tracy High School has grown even further with the addition of the Family Leadership Program. As the cohort prepares to complete the program, Principal Waggle looks forward to bringing 12 to 15 participating families to present at a future school board meeting — not just as attendees, but as informed stakeholders and advocates.
“I’m hoping we can do that at the end of this Family Leadership Program. I am excited about that idea,” he said.
Board of Directors
Rose Elena McAuliffe
Board Chair
Chief Financial Officer
and VP for Business and Finance
California State University Stanislaus
Fidel Ramirez
Vice Chair/Secretary
Chief Executive Officer | Vaughn Next Century Learning Center
Guillermo Mayer
Treasurer
President & CEO Public Advocates
Karen Y. Zamarripa
President/CEO of
Karen Zamarripa Consulting
Leonor Velazquez
Director and Assistant General Counsel,
Legal and Compliance, KLA Corporation
Dr. Jamillah Moore
Vice President, Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
San Francisco State University
James Mayo
CEO, Senior Trainer &
Coach at Coaching California LLC
Adelfa Lorenzano
Faculty Coordinator Fresno City College-
Central Valley College Corp.
Dr. Sera Hernandez
Department of Dual Language and
English Learner Education/College of Education
San Diego State University
Gabriela Chavez
Staff Finance Budget Analyst at the
California Department of Finance
Dr. Ryan E. Alcantara
Interim President & CEO
Ileana Lopez
Vice President of External Relations
Elizabeth Cabrera
Vice President of Program and Impact
Derek Parker
Chief Operations Officer
Maribel Guzman
Director of Human Resources
Sonia de Leon
Bakersfield
Lilian Esther Hernandez
Inland Empire
Christan Maxwell
Bay Area
Gabriela Rios
Central Valley
Kayo Johnson
Los Angeles
Monica Griego
San Diego
Carlos Robledo
Statewide Director of Operations
Operations
Nicolas Elder
Director of IT
Operations
Miguel Angel Segura
Director of External Relations
External Relations
Isaac Cox
Director of Communications
External Relations
Stephanie De Anda
Director of Philanthropy
External Relations
Kimberly Sanchez
Director of Policy and Partnerships
External Relations
Justine Williams
Director of Curriculum
Program & Impact
Monique Escobedo, Ph.D.
Director of Research
Program & Impact
Sagrario Diaz
Director of Training & Quality Assurance
Program & Impact
Janet Nunez-Pineda, Ed.D
Director of Family Engagement
Program & Impact
Partnerships Rooted in Community
In 2025, philanthropic support accounted for approximately 40% of PIQE’s annual revenue, allowing us to remain flexible, innovative, and deeply responsive to the families and communities we serve. These investments power our ability to engage parents as leaders, strengthen school–family relationships, and influence systems that shape student success.
Every contribution represents more than funding—it reflects a shared commitment to families as powerful agents of change and to partnerships rooted in trust, purpose, and long-term impact.
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A Network of Partners
PIQE’s funding partners—including foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individual donors—form a diverse and resilient network. Rather than one-time transactions, we cultivate long-term, values-aligned relationships that evolve alongside community needs.
In 2025, PIQE worked with 50 funding partners across the state, many providing multi-year support. This continuity enables us to plan strategically, scale effective programs, and remain accountable to both families and funders.
Turning Investment Into Community Impact
Philanthropic funding fuels the full ecosystem of PIQE’s work, supporting initiatives that span family engagement and leadership development, civic engagement, digital equity, early childhood development, educator capacity-building, and policy and advocacy efforts.
This support allows PIQE to respond to emerging challenges—such as digital access gaps, multilingual education needs, and evolving policy landscapes—while ensuring families experience consistent, high-quality engagement across the educational journey.
Why Philanthropy Matters
Philanthropy gives PIQE the flexibility to do what public funding from school districts alone often cannot.
It allows us to pilot new program models, deliver multilingual and culturally responsive programming, and advance policy and advocacy initiatives that elevate the voices of the families we serve.
Just as importantly, philanthropic partners help PIQE invest in learning, evaluation, and infrastructure, ensuring our work is not only impactful today, but sustainable for the future.
Collective Investment, Shared Results
Many of PIQE’s most impactful initiatives began with philanthropic investment, providing the early support needed to test, refine, and ultimately scale solutions that center family voice. These investments make it possible for PIQE to work both locally and statewide, bridging classrooms, communities, and policy spaces.
Together with our partners, PIQE is transforming investment into lasting change—strengthening families, supporting educators, and advancing systems where students can thrive.
Comcast is proud to support PIQE’s effort to help parents strengthen their digital literacy, access the internet safely, and become more actively engaged in their children’s education. PIQE’s work plays a vital role in creating lasting, transformative opportunities for families to thrive across California”
PIQE has been a long-standing partner here in the Central Valley. They have proven ten times over that they have the ability to connect with our families and students and be a catalyst for their social and educational upward mobility. We are so thankful for their presence in our community.
We appreciate the work PIQE does to create steadfast connections between parents, teachers and children to enhance understanding and cooperation, resulting in quality education for students.
We at Fordham Street Foundation are proud to support PIQE’s work to develop and strengthen partnerships between families and schools to promote student learning and build resilient communities.
Banc of California is proud to support PIQE and their programs that empower families with the knowledge and skills to ensure students reach their full academic potential. Their impact spans over 600 schools across California, offering multilingual, culturally responsive workshops that strengthen family and school collaboration statewide. What inspires me most is how after 38 years of impact, PIQE’s reputation continues to grow as program graduates come back to pay it forward and return to their own communities to support, expand, and energize the very programs that once empowered them.
Our Partners, Districts, and Schools
We are deeply grateful to our partners, funders, schools, and districts whose collaboration makes our work possible. Your commitment and shared belief in the power of family engagement continue to drive meaningful impact in the communities we serve. We also extend our sincere thanks to our individual donors, whose generosity helps us advance PIQE’s mission and vision every day.
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Our Partners
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Our Districts
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Our Schools
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Thank You
This work exists because of the collective commitment of families, staff, facilitators, partners, and supporters who believe in the power of family engagement to change lives. Every workshop facilitated, every conversation held, and every system challenged reflects the trust families place in PIQE and the dedication of those who show up every day to serve them.
To the families who share their time, stories, and hopes for their children, thank you for your honesty and leadership. Your voices shape our programs, strengthen our research, and guide our advocacy. You are not only participants in this work, you are its foundation.
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To our facilitators and staff across California and beyond, thank you for your expertise, compassion, and persistence. You carry this work into communities with care and integrity, often navigating complex challenges while remaining focused on the families you serve. Your commitment makes meaningful engagement possible.
To our partners, funders, and collaborators, thank you for investing in this work and for standing alongside families. Your support allows us to innovate, expand, and sustain programs that respond to real needs and create lasting impact.
Together, we are building stronger connections between families and schools, advancing equity, and ensuring that no family is overlooked. We are deeply grateful for your trust, your partnership, and your shared belief in what is possible when families are engaged and empowered.
Looking Ahead to 2026
PIQE enters the year with clarity, purpose, and momentum. The work ahead builds on decades of partnership with families and communities, while responding to the evolving realities facing schools and education systems across the country.
In the year ahead, PIQE will continue to strengthen family engagement as a core strategy for equity and student success. This includes expanding access to culturally responsive programming, deepening partnerships with school districts and community organizations, and elevating family voice in policy and practice conversations. Research and evaluation will remain central to this work, ensuring that family experiences and outcomes continue to inform how programs are designed, delivered, and scaled.
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PIQE will also focus on growing leadership across the field, supporting facilitators, educators, and practitioners with tools, training, and opportunities to learn from one another. Through statewide and national partnerships, including the California Statewide Family Engagement Center, PIQE will continue to connect local family experiences to broader systems level change.
Looking ahead, the work remains both urgent and hopeful. Families are ready to lead, schools are seeking meaningful partnership, and communities are demanding approaches that reflect their values and realities. In 2026, PIQE remains committed to walking alongside families, strengthening systems, and advancing a future where every child is supported by strong, trusting relationships between home and school.