Educating Parents on Assessments

Parents at your school have questions about the new standards-aligned state assessments. Help them find answers with this toolkit and training and support from your state PTA. Any school can use this toolkit to educate parents on assessments.

Step 1: Guide, Advertise and PowerPoint 

• Download and read the Leader's Guide: State Assessment Parent Info Event.
• Advertise the opportunity for local PTA units in your state or region to host an event.
• Download the PowerPoint appropriate for your state: Generic, Smarter Balanced or PARCC.

Step 2: Use Customizable Templates for Your Event

Event Planning Tools

• Speaker Prep: Anticipated Questions
• Messaging: Score Reports
• More Information About Assessments
• Event Sign-in Sheet

Event Parent Take-Home Tools

• State Assessment Guides for Parents
• PTA Fact Sheet on State Assessments
• Ready for the Test
• Helpful Web Sites for Parents About Assessments
• Parents’ Guides to Student Success
• A Family's Guide to Success with PARCC - Spanish
• A Family's Guide to Success with Smarter Balanced - Spanish
• Tips for Supporting Student Success During State Assessments and Parent FAQ
• You Are Keys to Your Child’s Success (English/Spanish)
• National PTA Assessment Webinar

Step 3: Promote Your Event

• Template Backpack Flyer (8 1/2 x 11) 
• Template Event Poster (11 x 17)
• Sample Promotion Messages: E-newsletter, voicemail, text and social media

Additional Info

National PTA recommends these resources for parents, educators and PTA leaders who want more information about College and Career Ready Standards, Common Core Standards and Assessments. 

Email your State PTA, assessments@pta.org or call your State PTA for help.