100 Ways for parents to involved in their children's education

100 ways for parents to be involved in their child's education

Based on the National standards for Parent/family involvement program

1. Give positive feedback and show appreciation to the teachers and principal
2. Approach interactions with positive attitude and an open mind
3. Listen to other viewpoints
4. Share your child's strengths, talents and interest with your child's teachers
5. Share expectations and set goals together for your child
6. Make appointments as needed to discuss your child's progress or concerns
7. Attend parent-teacher conferences with specific questions you want to ask
8. Indicate the best way to give you information (Phone, email, notes, etc)
9. Understand and reinforce school rules and expectations at home
10. Participate in informal opportunities to talk with and get to know the school staff and educators
11. Address concerns or questions honestly, open and early on
12. Attend PTA or parent meetings regularly
13. Read classroom and/or school newsletters
14. Visit your school's webpage
15. Know school staff's extensions and office hours
16. Read and know your school's handbook
17. Request that information be available in all relevant languages
18. Share your family's culture, values and parenting practices with your child's school
19. Share your perceptions with educators and school staff
20. Work with school staff and educators to revise and improve perceptions and school climate
21. Meet your child's friends and get to know their parents
22. Contact your school for information on family resources and programs
23. Help establish a parent center at school and use it's resources
24. Help create a toy/book lending center and visit it regularly
25. Assist in developing parent support programs/groups and attend them.
26. Attend workshops and seminars on various parenting topics
27. Participate in parenting classes on child development, expectations, discipline, etc
28. Attend parent fairs and other events especially for parents and families
29. Start a parent book club to discus current publications
30. Help create and.or contribute to a school newsletter on parenting
31. Assist in creating and.or offer your services to before-and after-school programs
32. Build a child file with medical records, pictures, finger prints, etc
33. Make donations and /or offer to work at clothing drives, or swaps, food cop-ops, etc
34. Ask teachers or counselors about how to talk with your children about tough topics
35. Discuss your child's school day and homework daily
36. Learn your child's strengths and weaknesses in different areas of school
37. Provide a quiet, well-lighted place with basic school supplies for studying/homework
38. Help your children break down projects into smaller, more manageable steps
39. Develop a consistent daily routine and time for studying and homework
40. Provide encouragement and approval for effort and schoolwork
41. Share your interests, hobbies and talents with your children
42. Provide children with books, magazines, and so forth and develop a nighttime reading routine
43. View selected TV programs together and then review and discuss them
44. Make family trips to the library, zoo, museum or park a fun learning experience
45. Talk with your child's teacher on creating home learning games and activities
46. Complete interactive homework assignments with your child
47. Attend meetings on learning expectations, assessment and grading procedures
48. Help set goals and develop a personalized education plan for your child
49. Participate in activities that help you understand school technology
50. Help  plan and attend family nights on improving study habits, doing homework, etc
51. Help develop, visit or offer services to your school's study/ tutor center
52. Participate in fairs, and fests for math, science, history and so forth
53. Respond to school surveys on your interests, talents and skills
54. Let school staff know your availability to volunteer (days, times, and how often)
55. Supervise and coordinate evening and weekend volunteer activities at school
56. Assist your child's teacher int he classroom or on field trips when you are able
57. Work with school staff and teachers to develop volunteer activities you can do from home
58. Assist school staff and educators in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for volunteers
59. Help provide childcare and/or transportation for volunteering parents
60. Help develop creative ways to use volunteers at school
61. Actively help school staff recruit parents and community members as volunteers
62. Attend training and orientation on how to be an effective volunteer
63. Learn and uphold discipline, confidentiality and other policies as a volunteer
64. Plan a regular time each week to talk with school staff and educators with whom you are working. 
65. Help develop volunteer job descriptions and evaluations
66. Participate in organizing and planning ways to recognize and appreciate volunteers
67. Respond to school surveys/questionnaires on how effective volunteer programs are
68. Help develop and distribute a volunteer directory to parents, school staff and teachers
69. Participate in organizing and planning ways to recognize and appreciate volunteers
70. Provide volunteer consulting services to school staff or educators in your areas of expertise
71. Learn of school and district polices and practices that affect children
72. Be involved in decisions on student placement and our and textbook selections
73. Participate in meetings to determine special educational needs and services
74. Attend workshops on problem solving, conflict resolution, public speaking and so forth
75. serve on school advisory councils, or committees on curriculum, discipline and so forth
76. Serve on a site based school management team with teachers and the principal
77. Encourage and support older children serving in student leadership positions
78. Help your school create a students rights and responsibility guide for families
79. Attend PTA, school board and/or town meetings and speak to issues of concern
80. Learn representatives background and participate in school board elections
81. Work with teachers and school administrators to develop a parent involvement policy
82. Write, call or travel to state capitals to support or oppose proposed legislation
83. Participate in petition drives or letter-writing campaigns to congress on legislation
84. Give testimony at public hearing in support of or opposition to education legislation
85. Vote on local, state and federal elections for public office who support education
86. Help your school develop a directory of social and community services
87. Find out information on community resources and organizations and use them
88. Help develop and/or distribute a community newsletter to local agencies and business
89. help coordinate and participate in an event to raise money for a local charity
90. Talk with employers about holding parent meetings or parenting workshops on-site
91. Advocate for flexible work schedule and leave time to attend school functions
92. Encourage employers and local businesses to make donations and support school programs
93. Help organize and/or participate in community health fairs
94. Help recruit community members (Seniors/Business people) to volunteer at school
95. Become active in community groups such as YMCA, Boy scouts, girls scouts)
96. Serve on local community advisory councils and committees
97. Work with local authorities and public officials to sponsor community events
98. Help organize and/or participate in a community "clean up" or "beautification" project.
99. Encourage and help facilitate your child's participation in community service
100. Be a role model, be active in community service yourself or together with your child.

National PTA- Every Child, One Voice

100-307-4PTA

info@pta.org

www.pta.org