On my recent bus tour for America Goes Back to School with U. S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley, when the secretary addressed rural communities, he referenced a report released in late August by the Rural School and Community Trust.
Poverty is especially prevalent among rural minorities, who number one if four of rural students.
The solutions rely heavily upon personal contact with all parents in the school community in order to make each feel welcome, informed, and part of that community. Efforts may include extending a personal welcome to each parent at PTA meetings, making phone calls and home visits to update those who cannot attend school or PTA events, having all printed materials translated into all of the languages spoken by families in the school, and varying meeting locations to alleviate lengthy commutes. I d like to remind readers that among National PTA s goals is to assure that federal dollars remain targeted to the specific needs that have been identified as national priorities. In addition, National PTA believes there must be accountability for how federal dollars are spent. Parent involvement is one of the best means to measure accountability.