Why are you not active in your elementary school's parent organization?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No interest, not a joiner. I'm happy to write you a check, but it's not clear to me that "parent engagement" per se improves the school. If there's a specific thing you want me to do (like clean up the school yard, take a role in a fundraiser) I'm likely to pitch in. But just "be involved" for the sake of being involved? No.

Who do you think organizes those clean up activities, or coordinates fund raising? These things don't magically happen -- they take commitment of time and energy from parents like yourself. No one is forcing you to join, but your dismissive attitude towards people who make these things happen is the bigger issue than parents trying to contribute positively towards their school communities.

[Anonymous]

Here are some of the issues I have with our PTA

1) Meeting frequency - Once a month seems too often
2) Never sending out minutes for those who can't attend
3) One big-ticket fundraiser that many people don't attend. Need a couple of smaller fundraisers in addition. Even doing suggested dues of $20 would raise some extra money. Or an online giving campaign where people didn't need to buy anything.

[Anonymous]

We've been at both HRCS and now at a DCPS.

I found that our charter schools did a better job of trying to be inclusive- e.g. providing childcare during PTA meetings, back to school night- or scheduling SOME meetings in the AM instead of always at night. This helps people who might work hourly jobs, or who travel, or who are single parents. Honestly don't think anyone at our WTOP has thought of this.

(And reflected by multiple kids being present last night - and some parents rightly resenting it when kids were playing/talking so loudly that it was not possible to hear the teachers talk.)

The PTAs can often seem too cliquey/clubby- and if you are introverted or "different" (eg. alternative lifestyle, race, language), then there are a lot of invisible barriers.

Working with volunteers it seems that what works best is a specific task/request for assistance ... that enables parents to be able to say- YES, I can fulfill that volunteering role. (e.g. reading support in classroom, bringing snacks, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No interest, not a joiner. I'm happy to write you a check, but it's not clear to me that "parent engagement" per se improves the school. If there's a specific thing you want me to do (like clean up the school yard, take a role in a fundraiser) I'm likely to pitch in. But just "be involved" for the sake of being involved? No.

Who do you think organizes those clean up activities, or coordinates fund raising? These things don't magically happen -- they take commitment of time and energy from parents like yourself. No one is forcing you to join, but your dismissive attitude towards people who make these things happen is the bigger issue than parents trying to contribute positively towards their school communities.

the issue is whether the "these things" that you are making happen are worth my time. sometimes I don't think they are. my time is valuable, and I'm not going to waste it on activities that are just presumed virtuous and positive simply because they are backed by a desire to "contribute."

anyway, OP asked the question and I'm answering! I am not likely to get involved if it's an emotional/community/"show we care" type thing. I am more likely to get involved if it is clearly related to a tangible benefit, like a garden for the school or money to pay for aides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A NPR story on the radio featuring this article:

http://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2014/12/16/54797/pasadena-schools-experiment-with-charlas-to-help-students-by-coaching-their-parents/

"“We found that most forms of parental involvement yield no benefit to children’s test scores or grades regardless of their racial or ethnic background or socioeconomic status.”
Robinson found traditional activities like attending PTA meetings didn’t help.
But he said a few things can make a difference.
“The list of what consistently works is pretty short. That would be expecting your child to go to college, regularly discussing activities that your child engages in at school and requesting a particular teacher for your child,” he said."

Really? So they extra teachers, books, resources and specialists that the PTA pays for don't help?

Aristotle did fine without all of that and I have not seen extra teachers rain from the sky due to the PTA's spaghetti fund raiser.

Wait, what? Aristotle? You mean the privileged ancient Greek who had personal tutoring until he went to the Platonic Academy at 17? That Aristotle?

Meanwhile many of the WOTP schools PTAs pay for extra staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've been at both HRCS and now at a DCPS.

I found that our charter schools did a better job of trying to be inclusive- e.g. providing childcare during PTA meetings, back to school night- or scheduling SOME meetings in the AM instead of always at night. This helps people who might work hourly jobs, or who travel, or who are single parents. Honestly don't think anyone at our WTOP has thought of this.

(And reflected by multiple kids being present last night - and some parents rightly resenting it when kids were playing/talking so loudly that it was not possible to hear the teachers talk.)

The PTAs can often seem too cliquey/clubby- and if you are introverted or "different" (eg. alternative lifestyle, race, language), then there are a lot of invisible barriers.

Working with volunteers it seems that what works best is a specific task/request for assistance ... that enables parents to be able to say- YES, I can fulfill that volunteering role. (e.g. reading support in classroom, bringing snacks, etc.)

This is why the PTA should really talk about the different ways you can help - I spend probably 1-2 hours a month helping the PTA. From my desk. At work. With the door closed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here are some of the issues I have with our PTA

1) Meeting frequency - Once a month seems too often
2) Never sending out minutes for those who can't attend
3) One big-ticket fundraiser that many people don't attend. Need a couple of smaller fundraisers in addition. Even doing suggested dues of $20 would raise some extra money. Or an online giving campaign where people didn't need to buy anything.

That's a good one.

[Anonymous]

My reasons:

- because we are new at this school and we may leave after only one year, so it doesn't seem worthwhile to invest a lot of time now.

- because I am busy in the mornings (work) and in the evenings (getting kids fed/bathed/to sleep). Time is at a premium for working parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A NPR story on the radio featuring this article:

http://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2014/12/16/54797/pasadena-schools-experiment-with-charlas-to-help-students-by-coaching-their-parents/

"“We found that most forms of parental involvement yield no benefit to children’s test scores or grades regardless of their racial or ethnic background or socioeconomic status.”
Robinson found traditional activities like attending PTA meetings didn’t help.
But he said a few things can make a difference.
“The list of what consistently works is pretty short. That would be expecting your child to go to college, regularly discussing activities that your child engages in at school and requesting a particular teacher for your child,” he said."

Really? So they extra teachers, books, resources and specialists that the PTA pays for don't help?

Aristotle did fine without all of that and I have not seen extra teachers rain from the sky due to the PTA's spaghetti fund raiser.

Wait, what? Aristotle? You mean the privileged ancient Greek who had personal tutoring until he went to the Platonic Academy at 17? That Aristotle?

Meanwhile many of the WOTP schools PTAs pay for extra staff.

There are 111 DCPS schools. What happens at the 5-6 wealthiest elementary schools simply isn't possible, applicable or even advisable everywhere else.

Personally I wish DCPS wouldn't allow for staff supplementation with PTA funds as it sets up inequities and skewed expectations everywhere else. If classroom staffing levels are too low - fix it district wide by increasing funding for schools (and give the charters a few more per student too, while we're at it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A NPR story on the radio featuring this article:

http://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2014/12/16/54797/pasadena-schools-experiment-with-charlas-to-help-students-by-coaching-their-parents/

"“We found that most forms of parental involvement yield no benefit to children’s test scores or grades regardless of their racial or ethnic background or socioeconomic status.”
Robinson found traditional activities like attending PTA meetings didn’t help.
But he said a few things can make a difference.
“The list of what consistently works is pretty short. That would be expecting your child to go to college, regularly discussing activities that your child engages in at school and requesting a particular teacher for your child,” he said."

Really? So they extra teachers, books, resources and specialists that the PTA pays for don't help?

Aristotle did fine without all of that and I have not seen extra teachers rain from the sky due to the PTA's spaghetti fund raiser.

Wait, what? Aristotle? You mean the privileged ancient Greek who had personal tutoring until he went to the Platonic Academy at 17? That Aristotle?

Meanwhile many of the WOTP schools PTAs pay for extra staff.

Exactly. Pay for your child's tutors. Never mind about the other 99%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A NPR story on the radio featuring this article:

http://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2014/12/16/54797/pasadena-schools-experiment-with-charlas-to-help-students-by-coaching-their-parents/

"“We found that most forms of parental involvement yield no benefit to children’s test scores or grades regardless of their racial or ethnic background or socioeconomic status.”
Robinson found traditional activities like attending PTA meetings didn’t help.
But he said a few things can make a difference.
“The list of what consistently works is pretty short. That would be expecting your child to go to college, regularly discussing activities that your child engages in at school and requesting a particular teacher for your child,” he said."

Really? So they extra teachers, books, resources and specialists that the PTA pays for don't help?

Aristotle did fine without all of that and I have not seen extra teachers rain from the sky due to the PTA's spaghetti fund raiser.

Wait, what? Aristotle? You mean the privileged ancient Greek who had personal tutoring until he went to the Platonic Academy at 17? That Aristotle?

Meanwhile many of the WOTP schools PTAs pay for extra staff.

There are 111 DCPS schools. What happens at the 5-6 wealthiest elementary schools simply isn't possible, applicable or even advisable everywhere else.

Personally I wish DCPS wouldn't allow for staff supplementation with PTA funds as it sets up inequities and skewed expectations everywhere else. If classroom staffing levels are too low - fix it district wide by increasing funding for schools (and give the charters a few more per student too, while we're at it).

Your solution helps no one but the rich families, but dispersing more general funds to the wealthiest students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A NPR story on the radio featuring this article:

http://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2014/12/16/54797/pasadena-schools-experiment-with-charlas-to-help-students-by-coaching-their-parents/

"“We found that most forms of parental involvement yield no benefit to children’s test scores or grades regardless of their racial or ethnic background or socioeconomic status.”
Robinson found traditional activities like attending PTA meetings didn’t help.
But he said a few things can make a difference.
“The list of what consistently works is pretty short. That would be expecting your child to go to college, regularly discussing activities that your child engages in at school and requesting a particular teacher for your child,” he said."

Really? So they extra teachers, books, resources and specialists that the PTA pays for don't help?

Aristotle did fine without all of that and I have not seen extra teachers rain from the sky due to the PTA's spaghetti fund raiser.

Wait, what? Aristotle? You mean the privileged ancient Greek who had personal tutoring until he went to the Platonic Academy at 17? That Aristotle?

Meanwhile many of the WOTP schools PTAs pay for extra staff.

There are 111 DCPS schools. What happens at the 5-6 wealthiest elementary schools simply isn't possible, applicable or even advisable everywhere else.

Personally I wish DCPS wouldn't allow for staff supplementation with PTA funds as it sets up inequities and skewed expectations everywhere else. If classroom staffing levels are too low - fix it district wide by increasing funding for schools (and give the charters a few more per student too, while we're at it).

I see. So PTAs at rich schools are useful, but totally unnecessary for the other poor schools. For those, it is a waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A NPR story on the radio featuring this article:

http://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2014/12/16/54797/pasadena-schools-experiment-with-charlas-to-help-students-by-coaching-their-parents/

"“We found that most forms of parental involvement yield no benefit to children’s test scores or grades regardless of their racial or ethnic background or socioeconomic status.”
Robinson found traditional activities like attending PTA meetings didn’t help.
But he said a few things can make a difference.
“The list of what consistently works is pretty short. That would be expecting your child to go to college, regularly discussing activities that your child engages in at school and requesting a particular teacher for your child,” he said."

Really? So they extra teachers, books, resources and specialists that the PTA pays for don't help?

Extra teachers and specialists are not available to be hired by PTA funds in all areas.

I have been in a high FARMS school with a concentrated group of high SES parents. There were tons of involvement from those parents in the PTA and they held many nice activities and provided funds for extra supplies and field trips but none of that did anything to raise test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A NPR story on the radio featuring this article:

http://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2014/12/16/54797/pasadena-schools-experiment-with-charlas-to-help-students-by-coaching-their-parents/

"“We found that most forms of parental involvement yield no benefit to children’s test scores or grades regardless of their racial or ethnic background or socioeconomic status.”
Robinson found traditional activities like attending PTA meetings didn’t help.
But he said a few things can make a difference.
“The list of what consistently works is pretty short. That would be expecting your child to go to college, regularly discussing activities that your child engages in at school and requesting a particular teacher for your child,” he said."

Really? So they extra teachers, books, resources and specialists that the PTA pays for don't help?

Aristotle did fine without all of that and I have not seen extra teachers rain from the sky due to the PTA's spaghetti fund raiser.

Wait, what? Aristotle? You mean the privileged ancient Greek who had personal tutoring until he went to the Platonic Academy at 17? That Aristotle?

Meanwhile many of the WOTP schools PTAs pay for extra staff.

There are 111 DCPS schools. What happens at the 5-6 wealthiest elementary schools simply isn't possible, applicable or even advisable everywhere else.

Personally I wish DCPS wouldn't allow for staff supplementation with PTA funds as it sets up inequities and skewed expectations everywhere else. If classroom staffing levels are too low - fix it district wide by increasing funding for schools (and give the charters a few more per student too, while we're at it).

I see. So PTAs at rich schools are useful, but totally unnecessary for the other poor schools. For those, it is a waste of time.

No one said it's a waste of time. But don't assume that what is needed / works best at a wealthy school is what's needed at a poor school.

IMO the single most important 'additional staff member' that could be hired at a poor school would be another social worker or counselor (getting it approved to be parent funded would be a challenge). This would not, however, necessarily be a staff person that your higher SES child would deal with very much if at all. But they could probably make a huge difference in the lives of his/her classmates and help ensure that some of the challenges they face at home aren't brought into the classroom and let the principal focus on academics more.

But that isn't the kind of stuff that high SES parents think to fund. Field trips, gardens, ballet and so forth are nice but aren't going to improve the schools' test scores, or the school culture and climate.

[Anonymous]

http://www.pta.org/members/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2230

"PTAs are not an additional funding sources for goods, services and payroll for public schools. School funds should be supplied by governmental entities. PTAs advocate for the adequate funding of schools from governmental sources. They do not replace funds not supplied by governments. Therefore, supplies purchased using PTA funds should be given directly to children, not to teachers."