I'm reading news about the state budget for education, and related budget crunches impacting our kids in public schools, and wondering how many parents actually get upset enough or invested enough to take action at any level--bringing supplies to classrooms, volunteering in the classroom, helping organize school activities and/or galvanizing parent networks, attending district meetings...And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
I know many people (myself included) that do something, but would love to see a swell of participation from more representative demographics in our communities; our neighborhood schools ultimately speak to the greater good of supporting the future, and our state's intangible intellectual infrastructure: kids. And even if people aren't believers in the public school system--if they send their kids to charter schools, they're essentially publicly funded.
Isn't there some way this state's educational model could become more complimentarily win-win, to focus on the people who are supposed to be getting the education?
What are your thoughts about how to get parents involved in their kids' schools at every level? Or to encourage participation/investment in those in the community who DON'T have kids in school?
I think to start, PTOs have
I think to start, PTOs have to be more willing to meet after working parents get off work. I know our PTO keeps changing meeting times, and it drives me crazy.
It's too bad, though, that many parents don't make the time to help out. I volunteer weekly in the classroom even though I work. It's a pain to get out there, and sometimes I do have to cancel on the teacher because of a meeting, but at the same time it is so worth the effort. I get to know what the teacher is doing and what children behave.
I don't go to school board meetings, though. At times I think I should. But honestly, I just haven't had time to do it. Can I make time? Maybe, but then something else slips through the cracks.
I don't know if school boards do this...I know the state legislature does...but if they aired meeting on the Internet, that would at least be a start in getting me to participate.
I love the idea of an
I love the idea of an internet meeting! In this day and age, it would be feasible, and in so many ways, a whole lot more accessible for many working parents. I know for a fact our district is antiquated (to put it mildly) and a bit resistant to using technology that would ultimately help everyone connect better, but though it's frustrating, I'm not giving up.
I'm adding your suggestion to our community's list of ideas. Thanks!
At my child's elementary
At my child's elementary school, parent involvement is huge. Our PTA meetings are well attended and you can always find parents in the classrooms helping out. The school is an excelling school and I like to think that the parent volunteers can share a bit of ownership in that. Now the polar opposite is our middle school that is right across the street. Parents seem to have the notion that once their child goes to middle school, they are not needed anymore. Parent invlovement is absent - the school has the performing label. The teachers would be thrilled to have more involvement and not just with the PTA. So this summer at Meet the Teacher, we will have a volunteer board that lists every teacher and what their needs will be.
sure, fine, whatever
I'm pleased to hear your PTA
I'm pleased to hear your PTA is functioning, and the interaction with teachers is coordinated. I think in my district the real problem is a communication-related disconnect, and it's been a strange experience trying to figure out where the breakdown is occurring--since we have both committed parents and committed teachers, it's hard to imagine why we're having some of the trouble we do.