AHPTA+Why+Volunteering+Matters

=Parent Involvement Matters= Research shows when parents are involved in their children's education, students are more likely to:
 * earn better grades
 * score higher on tests
 * pass their classes
 * attend school regularly
 * have better social skills
 * show improved behavior
 * be more positive in their attitude toward school
 * complete homework assignments
 * graduate and continue their education

More Is Better
Parents can serve many different roles in the educational process: home teachers, advocates for their children, volunteers, fundraisers, boosters. And they can even serve in decision making and oversight roles for the school. The more parents participate in a sustained way at each of these levels, the better for student achievement.

Start Early
When parents get involved early in their children's education, the results are more pronounced and long-lasting.

At All Levels
Studies indicate that parent involvement in education has a positive effect at all grade levels: elementary, middle, and high school.

Dads Matter
In both two-parent and father-only households where dads are highly involved in their schools, children are more likely to: They are less likely to:
 * succeed academically.
 * participate in extracurricular activities.
 * enjoy school.
 * have to repeat a grade.
 * be suspended or expelled.

A Significant Difference
One study found that students from families with above-average parent involvement were 30 percent more successful in school than those with below-average involvement. Success was measured by GPA; test scores in math, science, reading, and social studies; promotion and retention rates; and teacher ratings.

Also Significant
Another study found that in schools where teachers reported high levels of outreach to parents, test scores grew at a rate 40 percent higher than in schools that reported low levels of outreach to parents.

Home and School
A three-year study of 12,000 high school student concluded that "When parents come to school regularly, it reinforces the view in the child's mind that school and home are connected and that school is an integral part of the whole family's life."

Reading and the Parent Group
A two-year study of home and school influences on literacy achievement among children from low-income families found that the single variable most positively connected to all literacy skills was formal involvement in parent-school activities such as PTA participation, attending school activities, and serving as a volunteer.
 * Schools with involved parents enjoy:**
 * better morale among teachers.
 * higher ratings of teachers by parents.
 * more support from families.
 * a better reputation in the community.

Parents Benefit, Too
When parents become involved in their children's education, the parents are more likely to:
 * be more confident at school.
 * be more confident in themselves as parents and their ability to help their children learn.
 * be held in higher esteem by teachers and have teachers expect more from their children.
 * enroll in continuing education to advance their own schooling.

A Final Note
Why should parents get involved? Because involvement can make a dramatic difference for their children. Why should school administrators encourage involvement? Because it can make a significant difference, both in school atmosphere and in the success rate of students—especially when parents are included as partners in the educational process. Parent involvement is a powerful tool. Spread the word. =**Ready to get Involved?**=
 * [[file:2011-2012 PTA Volunteer Sign-up.pdf]]﻿**