Examine current practice. Survey staff and parents. Develop a plan based on the results of the evaluation. Keep those responsible for implementation, those who will be affected, and those outside the school who have influence over the outcome aware of the plan and willing to lend support. Provide professional development for staff.
Effective training is essential.
The best training will provide staff with several opportunities to examine the issues, work together, and monitor and evaluate the progress. Evaluate and revise the plan. Communication is foundational. The first step, Dingsdale believes, is for the PTA to work with the school or school district to gather information about the parents. Dingsdale suggested, for example, that a team of PTA leaders and school staff go into the community and meet with parents to discuss the school and students, and make parents feel welcome in the school as ways of building communication.