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PTA's National Standards for Family-School Partnerships is a simple, six-step program that you can follow to stay on track with your involvement. According to the implementation guide, there are a variety of ways you can make each standard a reality at your child's school.


1. Make all families feel welcome.
  • Greet other parents at school activities and events; sit with someone you don't know and get to know them.
  • Recruit bilingual parents to greet and interpret for families whose first language isn't English. Ask the school district to provide translation headsets for parent meetings.
  • Offer family activities at low or no cost so everyone can participate; budget PTA/parent group funds for this purpose.
  • Hold meetings in a variety of community locations (such as the local library, a community center, a church) to make them accessible to all.

2. Communicate effectively.
  • Design and print "Happy Grams" as an easy way for teachers to regularly report positive behavior and/or achievements to parents.
  • Consider using color-coded lines on hallway walls, or footprints on floors, to help direct parents to important places like the school office, parent resource center and library.
  • Include a two-way communication mechanism, such as a question-and-answer section or mini survey, in each edition of your newsletter.
  • Distribute calendars so parents can record upcoming events, assignments and dates to check with teachers on their children's progress.

3. Support student success.
  • Create a checklist and tip sheets for effective parent-teacher conferences.
  • Invite teachers and professionals from the community to speak at meetings on various topics.
  • Provide parent involvement tips and suggestions through signs at the school and articles in the local newspaper.

4. Speak up for every child.
  • Match new families at the school with a buddy family to show them the ropes.
  • Plan workshops on how to ask the right questions about children's progress and placement.
  • Involve parents in ongoing training on topics such as being an effective advocate, identifying and supporting learning styles, resolving difficulties and fostering student achievement.

5. Share power.
  • Working in partnership with the principal, identify ways the PTA/parent group can support one or more goals of the school improvement plan.
  • Host a forum for candidates running for public office; focus questions on issues that affect children, families and education.
  • Get to know your elected officials at all levels of government, as they influence public policy decisions related to children and education.

6. Collaborate with the community.
  • Reach out to senior/retired citizens and invite them to volunteer at the school.
  • Work with the local newspaper to promote special events that are happening at the school.
  • Invite school alumni to make a donation to the school or to participate in an alumni sponsors program through which they can volunteer time.

Get 10 final ideas and 4 online resources to help you stay involved

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