We are having a good experience at an EOTP school, and I am very involved in the PTA. That said, studies show that the "parent involvement" that is correlated with student success is whether the parent provides a place to do homework, homework help, high expectations, good nutrition etc. PTA activities are not as strongly associated with student achievement.

http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Public-education/Parent-Involvement

http://www.hfrp.org/publications-resources/browse-our-publications/parental-involvement-and-student-achievement-a-meta-analysis

So can a PTA that provides enrichment opportunities for its students provide some compensation for students whose parents cannot provide those opportunities? I think maybe a more targeted review of the research would be needed to answer that.

There is a direct correlation between kids performance when a parent spends more than 50% of income on housing.

Support higher minimum wages and affordable housing. The existential harm to children in poor homes is fundamental to their poor performance.

Anonymous wrote:After our APPT meeting today we may have to switch schools next year. It's surprising how many students aren't at the targeted "assessment" level for 1st grade.

another negative impact of APTTs - rather than let parents focus on their own kids, they see where kids are elsewhere in the class and now want to depart. Let's give Flamboyan back its money and do things that actually benefits parents and kids on a school-by-school basis with principal discretion.

Bottom Line: Money.

Anonymous wrote:After our APPT meeting today we may have to switch schools next year. It's surprising how many students aren't at the targeted "assessment" level for 1st grade.

Why are you surprised? What were the third-fifth grade test scores at the school? Did you assume that

a) kids were smart in 1st and got dumb by 3rd?
b) more of the kids who were at grade level in PK and K were going to stay?
c) the test scores didn't matter because it was the best/only school you got into?
d) your kid wouldn't lose out by being at the top of the class for a few years but that's suddenly changed?

After our APPT meeting today we may have to switch schools next year. It's surprising how many students aren't at the targeted "assessment" level for 1st grade.

Investing in a school is dcum for sacrificing your first born lest you be considered racist, a sell out, a gentifier or turn coat.

Investing in a school is dcum code for enrolling your child in a neighborhood school rather than going oob or charter.