Introduction to PTCA
According to a study done by the Los Angeles Annenberg Metropolitan Project, parents’ involvement in their child’s education not only helps the child get higher grades and stay in school, but also helps the school’s improvement.
A great way to get involved is through parent-teacher community associations or PTCAs.
While some might remember PTCAs as field trip chaperones or fundraisers for the library, it is also worthy to note that PTCAs are also a meaningful avenue to share opinion and information with other parents and teachers, know what’s going on in school, and act as a strong unit that can speak in behalf of the students’ welfare.
What is a PTCA?
The PTCA (Parent-Teacher Community Association) brings parents, teachers and the community together to improve the lives and educational aptitude of students.
Their activities vary from group to group, but the usual things a PTCA is involved in are:
- Fundraising - PTCA members bring up the things that the school needs help buying such as computers or school supplies. The organization then decides how to raise funds.
- Library Projects - Sometimes, the PTCA is called in to help bring in books for the library as additional sources of learning for the students.
- Teacher Appreciation - They make sure teachers get the appreciation they deserve.
- Back-to-School Night - PTCAs are useful in finding out what are the school’s plans for the students for that year. This is done through a meeting during the first quarter of the school year.
- Scholarships - Some PTCAs maintain a scholarship fund for children of PTCA parents.
- School Beautification - They are tapped to help in the beautification of the school and the improvement of school facilities.
- Classes/Workshops/Seminars - Some offer classes for other parents in practical subjects like Internet safety or good health habits.
- Newsletters - Some PTCAs put out a regular newsletter to update parents and teachers on the newest faces or the latest parenting tips.
Why should parents get involved?
Aside from the obvious benefit of improving a child’s performance in school, here are some other reasons for joining or establishing a PTCA:
- Parents usually give each other advice on the most basic fields: the best day care center, the most affordable kid-friendly restaurant or the most competent pediatricians and tutors.
- Parents can better understand broad educational issues like standardized tests, Department of Education initiatives and the national budget.
- Joining a PTCA improves teachers’ morale, since the more they feel connected and appreciated by the community, the more they will invest in their students’ performance.
- Updates in school events, new staff, student accomplishments, new rules and budgets, changes in the curriculum can all be found out at PTCA meetings.
- As part of the PTCA, parents can influence important decisions like where to use PTCA-raised funds, new projects and community issues that can affect students.
How can we begin forming a PTCA?
In forming a new PTCA, one needs the support of the school administration, the local government heads, and the community (parents and teachers and private sector). Publicize the time, date and purpose of the meeting for the PTCA formation and get started on a plan. Discuss among the interested members what are the objectives and expectations of the organization of its members, and start from there.
Having a vision for the future also means another important PTCA feature: sustainability. Committed stakeholders will become even more involved if they know what the goals to be achieved are and, later on, the things they can do to help achieve them.
Meanwhile, here are some resources that can help in PTCAs:
Sources:
Bochan, Toby Leah. “The PTA: More than Bake Sales.” Retrieved December 16, 2009 from
http://www.capta.org/sections/management/toolkit.cfm
Forhan, Christy. “9-point meeting checklist.” Retrieved December 16, 2009 from http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/429-9-point-meeting-checklist
Helweg, Richard. “Creating a Long-Term Plan.” Retrieved December 16, 2009 from
http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/851-creating-a-long-term-plan
(Published 25 January 2010, Smart Communications Inc.)
