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64. Plan a regular time each week to talk with school 85.

85. Vote in local, state, and federal elections for


staff and educators with whom you are working. public officials who support education.
65. Help develop volunteer job descriptions and 86. Help your school develop a directory of social
evaluations. and community services.
66. Participate in organizing and planning ways to 87. Find out information on community resources
recognize and appreciate volunteers. and organizations and use them.
67. Respond to school surveys/questionnaires on 88. Help develop and/or distribute a community

100W
how effective volunteer programs are. newsletter to local agencies and businesses.
68. Help develop and distribute a volunteer 89. Help coordinate and participate in an event to
directory to parents, school staff, and teachers. raise money for a local charity.
69. Provide volunteer consulting services to school 90. Talk with employers about holding parent
staff or educators in your areas of expertise. meetings or parenting workshops on-site.
70. Learn of school and district policies and 91. Advocate for flexible work schedules and leave
practices that affect children. time to attend school functions.
71. Voice your support or concerns on any issue that
will affect your family.
72. Be involved in decisions on student placement
and course and textbook selections.
92. Encourage employers and local businesses to
make donations and support school programs.
93. Help organize and/or participate in community
health fairs.
ays
73. Participate in meetings to determine special 94. Help recruit community members (seniors,
educational needs and services. business people) to volunteer at school.
74. Attend workshops on problem solving, conflict
resolution, public speaking, and so forth.
95. Become active in community groups such as
YMCA and Boy and Girl Scouts.
for Parents to Be
75. Serve on school advisory councils or committees
on curriculum, discipline, and so forth.
96. Serve on local community advisory councils and
committees.
Involved in Their
76. Serve on a site-based school management team
with teachers and the principal.
97. Work with local authorities and public officials
to sponsor community events. Childs Education
77. Encourage and support older children in serving 98. Help organize and/or participate in a
in student leadership positions. community clean up or beautification project.
78. Help your school create a students rights and 99. Encourage and help facilitate your childs partici-
responsibilities guide for families. pation in community service. Based on the
79. Attend PTA, school board, and/or town meetings 100. Be a role model, be active in community service National Standards
and speak to issues of concern. yourself or together with your child.
80. Learn representatives backgrounds and partici-
for Parent/Family
pate in school board elections. Involvement Programs
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. (800) 307-4PTA
84. Give testimony at public hearings in support of
E-mail: info@pta.org
or opposition to education legislation. www.pta.org
03/03
100 Ways for Parents to Be Involved in Their Childs Education Based on the National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs

1. Give positive feedback and show appreciation for 24. Help create a toy/book lending library and visit it 45. Talk with your childs teacher on creating home
teachers and the principal. regularly. learning games and activities.
2. Approach interactions with a positive attitude and an 25. Assist in developing parent support 46. Complete interactive homework assignments
open mind. programs/groups and attend them. with your child.
3. Listen to others viewpoints. 26. Attend workshops or seminars on various 47. Attend meetings on learning expectations,
4. Share your childs strengths, talents, and parenting topics. assessment, and grading procedures.
interests with your childs teachers. 27. Participate in parenting classes on child develop- 48. Help set goals and develop a personalized
5. Share expectations and set goals together for your ment, expectations, discipline, etc. education plan for your child.
child. 28. Attend parent fairs and other events especially for 49. Participate in activities that help you understand
6. Make appointments as needed to discuss your parents and families. school technology.
childs progress or concerns. 29. Start a parent book club to discuss current publica- 50. Help plan and attend family nights on improv-
7. Attend parent-teacher conferences with tions. ing study habits, doing homework, etc.
specific questions you want to ask. 30. Help create and/or contribute to a school newsletter 51. Help develop, visit, or offer services to your
8. Indicate the best way to give you information on parenting. schools study/tutor center.
(phone, e-mail, notes, etc.). 31. Assist in creating and/or offer your services to 52. Participate in fairs and fests for math, science,
9. Understand and reinforce school rules and before- and after-school programs. history, and so forth.
expectations at home. 32. Build a child file with medical records, pictures, 53. Respond to school surveys on your interests,
10. Participate in informal opportunities to talk fingerprints, etc. talents, and skills.
with and get to know school staff and educators. 33. Make donations and/or offer to work at 54. Let school staff know your availability to
11. Address concerns or questions honestly, openly, and clothing drives or swaps, food co-ops, etc. volunteer (days, times, and how often).
early on. 34. Ask teachers or counselors about how to talk with 55. Supervise and coordinate evening and weekend
12. Attend PTA or parent meetings regularly. your children about tough topics. volunteer activities at school.
13. Read classroom and/or school newsletters. 35. Discuss your childs school day and homework daily. 56. Assist your childs teacher in the classroom
36. Learn your childs strengths and weaknesses in dif- or on field trips when you are able.
14. Visit your schools web page.
ferent areas of school. 57. Work with school staff and teachers to develop
15. Know school staff s extensions and office hours.
37. Provide a quiet, well-lighted place with basic school volunteer activities you can do from home.
16. Read and know your schools handbook.
supplies for studying/homework. 58. Assist school staff and educators in creating a
17. Request that information be available in all warm and welcoming atmosphere for parents.
38. Help your children break down projects into small-
relevant languages.
er, more manageable steps. 59. Help provide child care and/or transportation
18. Share your familys culture, values, and parenting for volunteering parents.
39. Develop a consistent daily routine and time for
practices with your childs school.
studying and homework. 60. Help develop creative ways to use volunteers
19. Share your perceptions with educators and school at school.
40. Provide encouragement and approval for effort and
staff of how parents are treated.
schoolwork. 61. Actively help school staff recruit parents and
20. Work with school staff and educators to revise and community members as volunteers.
41. Share your interests, hobbies, and talents with your
improve perceptions and school climate.
children. 62. Attend training and orientation on how to be
21. Meet your childs friends and get to know their an effective volunteer.
42. Provide children with books, magazines, and so
parents.
forth, and develop a nighttime reading routine. 63. Learn and uphold school discipline, confiden-
22. Contact your school for information on tiality, and other policies as a volunteer.
43. View selected TV programs together and then
family programs and resources.
review and discuss them.
23. Help establish a parent center at school and use its
44. Make family trips to the library, zoo, museum, or
resources.
park a fun learning experience.

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