Family-School Partnerships: Raise Awareness |
 Step One: Raise Awareness PTA’s process for building successful partnerships is grounded in the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships and consists of three basic steps. The first step is raising awareness about the power of family and community involvement. Raising awareness involves continually educating school stakeholders about the importance of family and community involvement in children’s academic experience, and the vital roles they can play. Stakeholders include parents, extended family members, other caregivers,teachers, school staff and administrators, community leaders, local businesses and organizations, and more. You can present the message about involvement not only to regular PTA and school audiences but also to local service and social clubs, town meetings, church groups, major area employers, etc. Tell them how they can help improve your school, raise student achievement, and benefit themselves and the rest of the community. As you talk about roles and opportunities, introduce the National Standards and the Building Successful Partnerships process as tools for increasing involvement. By reaching out to these groups and individuals, you’ll build trust and ownership, gaining support for the school, the students, your PTA, and the work ahead. Tools to Use Use the PowerPoint presentations below to educate school stakeholders about the National Standards and how to strengthen partnerships. The handouts (under Parent Guides) can be used to enhance presentations, be published in newsletters or on websites, or be distributed at events. BackgroundThe Power of Partnerships: A Guide to PTA's Building Successful Partnerships ProcessThe three-step process to building successful family-school partnerships. El Poder de las Asociaciones Una guía al proceso de edificación de asociaciones exitosas de la PTA—en Español (The Power of Partnerships booklet in Spanish) Parent GuidesNational Standards, Goals, and Indicators for Family-School PartnershipsOverview of the National Standards A Report Card for Parents 10 Truths About Parent Involvement Supporting Learning at Home 10 Things Parents Wish Schools/Teachers Would Do 10 Things Schools/Teachers Wish Parents Would Do The No Child Left Behind Act and Title 1 Schools Recommended Reading on Parent Involvement Additional ResourcesThe Power of Partnerships Family Survey (Word document)An assessment tool for PTAs to measure the success of partnership programs. The Power of Partnerships Family Survey An assessment tool for PTAs to measure the success of partnership programs. National Standards for Family-School Partnerships: What We Can Do Together to Support Student Success Powerpoint for an audience of PTA and school leaders. National Standards for Family-School Partnerships: What We Can Do Together to Support Student Success Powerpoint for an audience of families and community members. Bridging Race, Income and Cultural Differences to Support Student Success Powerpoint for an audience of families, teachers and community members. The No Child Left Behind Act and Title 1 Schools: What Parents Should Know and Do Powerpoint for an audience of parents. 25 Tips for Making Successful Presentations |