Missing Out on the Changed Nature of Parent Organizations

My View

Since the founding of the National PTA in 1897, various school parent groups have emerged. No matter the name — PTO, PTA, parent council or home and school association — all share a similar mission: improving the educational experience for children in their community.

Too few educators are taking advantage of the vast opportunities these groups present, either from a lack of training and awareness or from influence by pervasive negative pop culture portrayal. Today’s PTOs are much more than classroom party planners or bake sale organizers. They are a crucial piece of the family engagement puzzle. Their contributions are significant and multifaceted, ranging from strategic planning to public relations, educational partnerships and more.

Involved PTO members tend to be among the most knowledgeable about a school’s operations and challenges, making them a ready-made focus group. This can be a huge benefit for school leaders considering new policies, curriculum changes and planning. One school district routinely invites PTO participation in their strategic plan development, finding that parent perspectives add significant value.