Standard 2: Communicating effectively
National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnership Awards
Definition
Families and school staff engage in regular, meaningful communication about student learning.
Communication is the way we connect with others by sharing thoughts and feelings, the basis for all human
interactions, friendships and relationships, and one of the most important skills we can possess. When parents and
educators communicate effectively, positive relationships develop, problems are more easily solved, and students
make greater progress.
Communication should not be limited to your school families. It is critical that PTAs/PTSAs develop new
connections to bring more interested and eager individuals into the school community.
Consider these questions when planning your program, projects, and activities:
- Does your PTA/PTSA communicate with parents in a variety of ways (e.g. telephone hotline translation
equipment, email, or website) to foster communication with parents?
- Does your PTA/PTSA provide information to parents in a language and format they can understand?
- Does your PTA/PTSA encourage parents and educators to share information such as student strengths and
learning preferences during parent-teacher conferences?
- Does your PTA/PTSA give out information on topics such as school reforms, policies and procedures,
discipline procedures, assessment tools, and school goals?
- Does your PTA/PTSA mail or email copies of your newsletter to elected officials, central office
administration, and other like-minded child advocacy groups in your community?
- Does your PTA/PTSA promote informal activities at which parents, staff, the principal, and community
members can interact?
- Does your PTA/PTSA submit press releases and articles on a regular basis to local news media?
Sample programs:
- Parent Workshops on what is your child’s learning style
- PTA newsletters, websites, phone trees, Email distribution system
- Provide student planners, weekly folders
