PTA National Standards for Family-School Partnerships

According to the National PTA, when families, schools and communities work together, student achievement improves; teacher morale rises; communication among parents, teachers, and administrators increases; and family, school, and community connections multiply.

Below are the National PTA's Standards for how families, schools and communities should work together to support student success. This framework is based in the value of mutual respect, trust, and courtesy.

Standard 1: Welcoming all families into the school community—
Families are active participants in the life of the school, and feel welcomed,
valued, and connected to each other, to school staff, and to what students are
learning and doing in class.

Standard 2: Communicating effectively—Families and school staff
engage in regular, two-way, meaningful communication about student learning.

Standard 3: Supporting student success—Families and school staff
continuously collaborate to support students’ learning and healthy development
both at home and at school, and have regular opportunities to strengthen their
knowledge and skills to do so effectively.

Standard 4: Speaking up for every child—Families are empowered to be
advocates for their own and other children, to ensure that students are treated
fairly and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success.

Standard 5: Sharing power—Families and school staff are equal partners
in decisions that affect children and families and together inform, influence,
and create policies, practices, and programs.

Standard 6: Collaborating with community—Families and school staff
collaborate with community members to connect students, families, and staff
to expanded learning opportunities, community services, and civic participation.

For more information about the work of the National PTA, visit http://www.pta.org/