MICHIGAN CITY Calling the congregation of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church pioneers, Dion Campbell, director of Worldgate Christian Center, drafted Pastor Anthony Getter and his congregation into becoming advocates to change the future of Michigan City's youth.

"What we are doing was birthed from the heart of God," Campbell said during the introduction of the educational empowerment seminar Sunday. "We want to make sure every person in Michigan City is empowered to understand the educational system."

Campbell's church hosted the first seminar in August, with principals from Michigan City Area Schools taking part. Peggy Thomas, Edgewood Elementary, Mohamed Mroueh, Barker Middle School and Lee Dabagia, Michigan City High School, attended Sunday to explain how parents can help their children excel, how to become involved in their children's education and how to understand the assessment process.

While parent involvement is key, parents also have to be role models, open doors of communication with their children's teachers and create a home culture that values education beyond high school, the principals said.

The goal of talking about the education process is to "empower parents to become educators in their own home," Mroueh said. "The earlier in the educational process that parental involvement begins, the more powerful the effects."

Creating a climate that encourages and expects success is a key element, Thomas told the crowd that filled the New Hope sanctuary for the seminar. When parents set high standards, "children know that is what you expect of them," she said.

Parents should establish a routine at home, know their children's social network and email passwords and know who their friends are. This applies even to high school age students.

"There is no reason they should have a password you don't know," Dabagia said.

"We are blessed to have had the opportunity to host this event on this day," Getter said. "Thank and praise God for this educational seminar."

Campbell said the seminars are offered to churches, with the hope that the church will embrace the message and reach out into the community. Recruiting mentors or tutors, establishing public access computers and helping set the standards for high achievement can make a difference.

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Finding success: Principals ask for parental involvement, higher expectations