Parent Involvement  |  Get Involved |  Schools and Departments

Successful Strategies for Getting Parents Involved

PTA Family Involvement Standards 1-3

This information was compiled during the PTA Parent Workshop at Piper High on September 20, 2008.  Participants included PTA representatives, parents, teachers and administrators who worked in groups and were asked to provide suggestions for “things that work” at schools for:

a) Welcoming Families
b) Communicating Effectively
c) Supporting Student Success

• Standard 1 – Welcoming Families
  These are suggestions schools can use for welcoming families, visitors and community members. Parents have indicated that these suggestions have worked or are things that would be helpful to them if implemented by schools.
• Standard 2 – Communicating Effectively
  Things schools can do to communicate with parents.  Some of these are suggestions while others are things that have worked at schools.
• Standard 3 – Supporting Student Success
  These are parent suggestions for things that have been successful in helping parents work with their children or providing academic support.

View entire document recapping the PTA Parent Workshop. Every effort was made leave the participants’ suggestions unedited. 

Strategies for Getting Parents Involved

• Communication plays a key role in getting parents involved.  Schools and teachers need to take the time to call, email or speak in person with parents regarding school activities and functions. 
• Appreciation for parents who volunteer their time is crucial in maintaining eager volunteers.  Parents want to know that their time and work is valued.  Remember, they don’t HAVE to volunteer…we WANT them to volunteer.
• Accommodation concerning parents’ schedules, lifestyles, and needs will provide a flexible way for them to participate and volunteer for activities. Try to schedule meeting and activities around working parents’ schedules.  Believe it or not, even the busiest parents will help out at school if you can offer a time that is most convenient for them!
• Be courteous to parents who come to the school.  Answer questions and address concerns in a polite manner.  Saying “please” when giving them work to do and “thank you” for the work they have done goes a long way.
• Provide information to parents about details and expectations for events, volunteers, chaperones, etc. Make this information easy to find and readily available when asked by parents. 
• Utilize their talents by not giving parents mindless activities every time they volunteer.  Ask parents what they are interested in doing and if they have a special skill – let them use it! 
• Show that you care about them. Learn their name!  If they don’t come again, make a phone call and tell them they were missed.  Find out why they’ve chosen not to come back and make them understand how much you appreciate their help. 
• Ask for help. Many parents feel that everything is taken care of at school!  If you tell parents that you need help, they may readily volunteer!

> Click here for 68 Parent Involvement Ideas

back to top