Making Your PTA More Inclusive
Although there are many barriers and challenges (examples listed below) to helping your PTA be more inclusive, some suggested solutions are also provided. There are innumerable ways to overcome barriers and challenges.
Examples of Barriers & Challenges
CULTURE AND CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
- Different expectations for cultural engagement in education
- Fear of speaking out because of language barrier or accent
- Fear of volunteer documentation, especially for undocumented parents
- Judgment based on attire/gender/last name
- School policies and rules are confusing
FAMILY CHALLENGES
- Children not welcome at meetings; need childcare
- Demands of multiple children
- Lack of knowledge about the system and rights as parents, roles and responsibilities
- Meeting schedule conflicts with work hours. This is especially challenging for single parents and parents working two or more jobs What is the role of parent vs. schools’ responsibilities?
GENERAL
- Fear of unknown
- Lack of parent education/self esteem
- Low expectations
- Personal agendas
- Religious differences with majority
PTA STEREOTYPES
- Intimidated by leaders
- Membership fees
- No timely notification of events and meetings
- Not enough appreciation and personal contact
- One predominant neighborhood/group running PTA
- Too exclusive: fear of not fitting in
- Too many meetings
Solutions
Break the cycle of prejudice:
- touch one parent at a time
- Build bridges to immigrant communities
- Don’t be afraid to set guidelines for meetings and activities (“children may not play with equipment”)
- Educate parents to advocate for their children
- Get men involved. Call and ask to speak with dads. Sponsor programs such as Watch D.O.G.S. and All-Pro Dads
- Get the kids to come and they’ll bring the family (student performances, art shows, etc.)
- Have an open door policy and a welcoming attitude
- High school PTSAs can help parents with college planning
- Include families when setting up meetings
- Mainstream and school cultural awareness
- Potlucks to lower costs
- Recognize all age ranges, from young parents through grandparents
- Try to not schedule events on religious holidays (e.g., Yom Kippur)
- Use English Language Learner’s (ELL) staff for interpreting
- Understand that this is not just about race. People can feel excluded for all types of reasons.