G.I.V.E. Get Involved, Volunteer in Education

School Governance ­ How to Make Your Voice Count

By Belinda Brinton, Parents' Source, January 20, 1999.

Most parents of school-age children recognize the importance of taking an active role in their children's education. It is through this active involvement in the classroom and in outside projects that parents experience opportunities to work with teachers and administrators to continuously improve the quality of education the children receive. It is also through this involvement that parents become aware of certain rules, policies, and guidelines that exist both in the classroom, and in the school as a whole. Suppose a parent has a question regarding one of these policies. What if a parent has some ideas about how to increase the effectiveness of a certain program? Perhaps there are parents who simply want to become more involved in their children's education, but because of time constraints imposed by work or smaller children, are unsure about what to do. Where should these parents turn? Their children's teachers? School administrators? The PTO? The School Board? In school, as in business, networks exist. There are proper channels of communication through which concerns can be addressed. In order to know which direction to turn, it is important for parents to understand the functions of the people and governing bodies associated with their children's schools.

Parent Teacher Organizations, or PTO's, are made up of a board of elected officers, including a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and a group of members, who usually meet on a monthly basis. The functions of a PTO are primarily organizational. Board members make decisions about budgetary issues, and upcoming events and programs. Nancy O'Leary, President of the PTO at Cumru Elementary School, says PTO members are asked to serve on various committees, each of which organizes a particular activity, such as bake sales, festivals, and other fund-raising events. Nancy says there are many benefits to serving on a PTO. "It's great to meet other parents, make friends, and understand how different committees work," she says. As for the time commitment involved, Nancy says a PTO member can become involved in as many or as few activities as they'd like. She suggests that full-time working parents who want to become involved volunteer for at-home projects, like baking cupcakes for bake sales, making telephone calls, or sewing costumes for school plays. Parents who are interested in voicing a concern about how certain programs or events are managed, or who would like to volunteer their services for these events, are encouraged to attend monthly PTO meetings. The meetings are open to all parents, not just PTO members.

Parents in many school districts have the option of voicing their concerns to a Parent Advisory Council, or a similarly-titled body. Debbie Lubas, Chairman of the PAC for kindergarten through third grade at Cumru Elementary School, says these councils are comprised of a staff of parents, who serve as liaisons between the parents and the teachers. At the beginning of the school year, parents who are interested in serving on the council are asked to fill out a form. From all of the forms submitted, twelve council members plus two alternates are selected. This is an ideal way for parents who work outside of the home, and don't have the time to volunteer in the classroom, to become involved. The time commitment for council members is approximately six hours per year. The council meets about four times a year, and addresses such issues as transportation and questions concerning the grading system. Before each meeting, an agenda is sent home with each student, along with a form parents can fill out if there is a certain issue they would like to have addressed. Debbie says this form is helpful to parents who are intimidated by the thought of addressing the council in person, because the forms can be submitted anonymously. While the PAC meetings are an effective way to head off potential problems, Debbie also suggests that parents take the time to get to know their children's teachers, the PTO officers, and the school principal, so they feel comfortable approaching them directly with any suggestions or concerns they may have.

Parents who seek a more active role in the decision making process at their children's school district might consider running for a seat on the School Board. Nan Hamberger, Associate Professor of Education at Alvernia College, and co-coordinator of an informational seminar for prospective School Board Directors, says when considering a run for the School Board, it is important to remember not to focus on single issues. Nan says School Board Directors should not consider their position an opportunity to stand up on a soapbox, but rather an opportunity to listen to the perspectives of others, and understand the complexities of the school. Bob Watrous, of Kutztown University, and another co-coordinator of the leadership seminar, echoes those sentiments, and adds that the experience of working hard to achieve high standards in school is a very rewarding one. He adds that some important qualities for a prospective School Board Director are a love of children, and a desire to make a difference in community growth and development. School Board Directors must take advantage of the resources they have available, and use them in the students' best interests. Directors typically donate about 40 hours of their time per month. This time is spent attending monthly School Board meetings, along with various committee meetings. The concepts outlined by Hamberger and Watrous are being addressed as part of a seven-session Leadership Training Program, presented by Alvernia College, the Berks County Intermediate Unit, Kutztown University, and Leadership Berks. The program, for prospective School Board Directors and advocates of quality education in Berks County, is entitled "Leading School Boards 1999", and is being held now through April 15th at the Berks County Intermediate Unit's River Chase Business Center. The program is broken down into four sessions - an introduction, and three phases including Awareness, Orientation, and Immersion. Bob Watrous says the Introductory Session focuses on the "nuts and bolts" of running for School Board Director, such as how to create a platform statement, and an action plan to send a message to voters about issues of concern. He adds that a run for School Board Director is the first venture into politics for many people, therefore it is important for them to be aware of the demographics of their district. He suggests that they visit their school district's superintendent, and attend School Board meetings, in order to familiarize themselves with their district. The Awareness phase of the program deals with understanding the School Board environment and emphasizes leadership qualities. The process of developing a "student-centered focus" is covered in the Orientation phase, along with the concepts of governing and decision-making, while the Immersion phase covers Key Issues Facing School Districts, and Building Partnerships. Anyone who is interested in registering for the Leadership Training Program is asked to call (610) 376-4112 for more information.

Another very simple way get actively involved in a child's education is by volunteering in the child's classroom. By being in their child's classroom, parents can see firsthand the rules that exist. Through this increased visibility, they also come into contact with school officials, including the school principal, department heads, and members of the office staff. By familiarizing themselves with school policies, and being aware of who handles which functions at the school, parents become aware of the chain of command that exists, and this awareness enables them to know where to turn when questions or concerns arise.

There is a wealth of information on both the Internet and in the library for parents who want to find out more about the governing bodies in their school districts.

• The Pennsylvania Parent Teacher Association's web site, at www.papta.org/, features headlines on legislative issues, updates, and hot topics. There is also a listing of publications that are available.
• Children First, the web site of the National PTA, at www.pat.org/, includes updates on legislative activity, listings of PTA programs, and links to PTA and Child Advocacy Organizations.
• The Pennsylvania School Boards Association's web site, at www.psba.org/ includes information about that organization and the services it provides, as well as information about how to run for School Board.
• The National School Boards Association, at www.nsba.org/, promotes excellence and equity in public education through school board leadership. Its web site features details on upcoming conferences, and contains information on nationwide job listings, and a list of books and resources available.

There are many informative books on the topics of school governance, which are available at libraries and bookstores. They include:

• Reaching for Excellence: What Local School Districts are Doing to Raise Student Achievement by Tibbett L. Speer
• The Public Purpose of Education and Schooling, edited by John I. Goodlad and Timothy J. McMannon.
  
  The books are recommended reading by the NSBA.

Parents who are actively involved in their children's education, whether they volunteer in the classroom, or serve on the PTO or School Board, understand the importance of making their voices count. It is through this active involvement that parents experience the opportunity to work along with teachers and school administrators in making the schools better places, and achieving the high standards which everyone wants for the students.

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