California State PTA believes it is important for parents and community members to be knowledgeable about education issues affecting student learning and achievement. PTAs should participate actively at all levels of the decision-making process and the implementation of the legally-required parent involvement policy, Education Code 11500-11506 and the State Board of Education 1994 Parent Involvement Policy. Parent participation should include but not be limited to:
- School Accountability Report Card (SARC), an instrument to inform the local community about the conditions and progress of the school, including holding public forums to share results with the community.
- School Budget
- Curriculum
- Assessment
- School Site Council/Governance
- District Advisory and Community Advisory Committees
- Other matters affecting the outcome of education.
The local PTA education chairman and committee should promote understanding of the purposes and needs of public schools and encourage participation by parents and community members in working toward any necessary improvements in public education. The education chairman and committee should highlight and promote the importance of parents’ involvement in their children’s education.
For additional details on the responsibilities of the Education Chairman, see “Job Description for Education Chairman.”
See “Education” in Advocacy Topic Index for related resolutions, position statements or guidelines.
