Parent Allies for Student Success
Parent Allies for Student Success
 
Home_r2_c21
dialoggroup
Main_r9_c2

PASS Circles

What are PASS Circles?

PASS Circle Development and Support

The PASS Circle is led by a PASS Ally, who has volunteered to serve as a facilitator and who has participated in Circle training. The Ally doesn’t take sides and helps manage the discussion. He or she is not there to teach the group about their issues. 

PASS Circles are conducted in phases.

Organizing Phase

  • A grass-roots community group of eight to twelve people meets together for two-hour sessions for 4-6 weeks.
  • The Circle sets its own ground rules. This helps people respect each other and get results
  • Members share personal stories and bond through connection to those stories
  • The Circle considers issues from many points of view to critically analyze what is needed for students to succeed in that community. 
  • To develop an action plan, the Ally helps members see where they agree and have common ground.
  • Next, the group talks about their vision for change. Finally, they make plans for action and change.
  • The PASS program supports the group by making connections in the community, linking allies with group members, and providing logistical support so that the circles run well.

Action Stage

  • Once the action plan is completed, a written plan is submitted to the PASS Committee, and the group commits to carrying out their plan for up to six months.
  • The group will determine the roles and responsibilities of individual members and how often they will meet. The group may decide to invite others into the PASS Circle to implement their plan
  • If invited, the Ally can recommit to the group for an additional 6-month period as the group becomes more self-sustaining.
  • The PASS program can provide ongoing support to PASS circles as needed.
  • Individual participants from the Circle may wish to continue as Circle members, become PASS Allies, support PASS Circles as leaders, or choose to become community leaders.
  • The PASS Circle continues to work on other barriers and obstacles confronting the group members and/or provides links with PASS Allies or other services that can help.
  • New PASS leaders may emerge from PASS Circles. They may become facilitators of future PASS Circles, or they may become individual Allies.
Contact Us