Principals and PTA/PTSA The Business of Student Achievement

1. Principals and PTA/PTSA The Business of Student Achievement North Fulton Council PTA School of Information January 25, 2012 Grant Rivera, Principal, Westlake High School Donna Kosicki, President 1

2. Course Objective • Given the time together during this workshop, participants will identify at least ten (10) key strategies or resources that connect their respective PTA/PTSAs to the business of student achievement. 2

3. Activity • Take a few moments and think about what is the current status of your PTA/PTSA and its effectiveness in your school. • Let’s take a few minutes to report out.

4. Basic Assumptions • Every teacher wants the best instruction for their students. • Today, more than ever, networking is vital. • The greatest challenge is agreeing on a common goal. • Every parent wants the best education for their child. 4

5. PTA - Who We Are Our Founders: Alice McLellan Birney Phoebe Apperson Hearst Selena Sloane Butler 5

6. PTA VisionEvery child's potential is a reality. PTA Mission To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

7. Target audience Defined goals Communications Leadership – strong, sustainable parent leader teams Reaching out – events, partnerships, programs Strategies Evaluate goals GA PTA Strategic Plan Membership, Leadership, Organizational Effectiveness, Financial Viability PTA - The Next Two Years

8. Parents are more likely to become involved when: • Parents understand that theySHOULDbe involved. • Parents feelCAPABLEof making a contribution. • Parents feelINVITED by their school and children. (Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler, 1997) 8

9. Organizational Alignment FCS PTA School Mission Statement Priorities/Goals Time (2)

10. Barriers to Leading Family Engagement • “People” Dynamics • Building leadership capacity beyond the 5% • Relationships (administrators and parent leaders) • Accountability • “Organizational” Dynamics • Ambiguity of academics • Distractions of school • Tendencies of at-risk students and their families

11. Stay Focused on Student Achievement • Establish academic priorities (“what”) • Alignment to school improvement plan • Our “priority”: • Build capacity (“who”) • Community leaders • Faith-based leaders • Parent leaders (who have never been asked) • Brainstorm opportunities (“how”)

12. Communication Strategies • External: Opportunities to spread the word • Churches • Local businesses • Political leaders • “Hot spots” in the community • Internal: Captive audiences • Athletic events • Student performances • Marquee • Online: Social networking

13. Engaging the Traditionally “Disengaged” Families • Personalize the invitation • What should we learn from our dentist? • Use of volunteers • Tailor the message • Keep it meaningful and relevant to their child • Don’t be afraid to speak to “subgroups” • Monitor student achievement • Show the family they make a difference

14. Galileo Reading ~ Beginning of the Year August- 60% March- 80%

15. Tendencies of Effective Organizations • Assemble a strong team of leaders • Identify goals, data, and deadlines • Acknowledge tendencies – be proactive • Brand your message • Monitor individual and organizational success • Accountability • Win small, win early, and win often

16. Let’s Recap Identify key strategies or resources that connect your respective PTA/PTSAs to the business of student achievement. Questions? How can we help!?!

17. Georgia PTA 114 Baker Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 404 659-0214, www.georgiapta.org everychild. onevoice. Donna Kosicki, President dkosicki@georgiapta.org Debbie Rabjohn, 13th District Director drabjohn@georgiapta.org Grant Rivera, Principal riverag@fultonschools.org 17

18. The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. - Ghandi