National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs
In 1997,National PTA set standards for parent and family involvement programs—more than 30 years of research and 100 years of practice helped develop the standards by which parent involvement programs can excel. National PTA in collaboration with parent involvement researchers and other national leaders developed the standards. Nearly 100 professional education and parent/family involvement organizations, state departments of education, colleges of teacher education, and school districts endorse them. The standards clearly delineate those practices that have been shown to lead to success and high-quality parent involvement programs.
The standards booklet was developed to be a practical tool for meeting the threefold purpose of the voluntary national standards:
- To promote meaningful parent and family participation,
- To raise awareness regarding the components of effective
- programs,
- To provide guidelines for schools that wish to evaluate
- and improve their programs.
Effective parent involvement programs include activities that are addressed by the following six standards:
I. Communicating—Communication between home and school is regular, two-way, and meaningful.
II. Parenting—Parenting skills are promoted and supported.
III. Student learning—Parents play an integral role in assisting student learning.
IV. Volunteering—Parents are welcome in the school, and their support and assistance are sought.
V. School decision making and advocacy—Parents are full partners in the decisions that affect children and families.
VI. Collaborating with community—Community resources are used to strengthen schools, families, and student learning.
Copies of the National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs can be purchased from the National Education Service. Call (800) 733-6786, email or visit their website for more information. Please request item #BKF175.
Students
- Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates
- Better school attendance
- Increased motivation, better self-esteem
- Lower rates of suspension
- Decreased use of drugs and alcohol
- Fewer instances of violent behavior
- Greater enrollment in postsecondary education
Teachers
- Greater morale (and self-esteem)
- Teaching effectiveness (proficiency) increases
- Job satisfaction goes up
- Communication/relations with students, parents, families, and communities improves
- Community support of schools increases
Parents
- Communication/relations with children and teachers improves
- Self-esteem goes up
- Education level/skills increase
- Decision-making skills become stronger
- Attitude toward school and school personnel improves
National PTA has all the tools you need to create quality parent/family involvement programs in your school community.
