Examples of the Unique Collaborative
Relationship between Schools and PTAs
Selected MCPS Regulations
ABC-RA Parent Involvement
♦ “Each local
school should work in cooperation with parents, parent groups and PTAs, to
develop and maintain a clear, regular two-way communication system”
♦ “Work in cooperation with the PTA and other
parent groups to support programs for parents to learn how to create and
sustain a home learning environment”
♦
“Identify a member of the school staff to work cooperatively with the PTA, and
other parent groups to encourage parent participation”
♦ “Upon
identification of an operating school for joint occupancy, the real estate
management specialist will meet with the principal, PTA, civic associations,
and other appropriate community representatives to identify desirable tenants.”
♦ “Copies of the superintendent’s
recommended CIP will be sent to MCPS executive staff, department and division
directors, school principals, MCCPTA cluster coordinators, local PTA
presidents, and public libraries.”
♦ “In
May, cluster representatives should state in writing to the superintendent any
proposals, priorities, or concerns that they have identified for their schools
in consultation with local PTA leadership, principals, and the community.”
♦ “Cluster
comments are to be considered in the development of facilities recommendations
made by the superintendent in the CIP.”
♦ “The
PTA cluster coordinators and/or PTA area vice presidents in consultation with
the cluster PTA presidents will coordinate testimony at the hearing on behalf
of cluster schools and are encouraged to ensure that diversity of opinions are
accommodated when scheduling testimony.
Testimony times for each cluster will be scheduled and organized by
quad-cluster and/or consortium whenever possible.”
♦“MCCPTA, local PTAs, or other parent or student
representatives along with appropriate MCPS staff should be involved in the
following planning processes: Site
selection; School boundary or geographic student choice assignment plans; Issue
roundtables; School closings and consolidations; Facility planning (educational
specifications, architect selection, and architectural design) for new schools,
additions, and modernizations.”
♦ “MCPS
staff works with MCCPTA area vice presidents, cluster coordinators, or PTA
presidents to form a Site Selection Advisory Committee (SSAC) composed of MCPS
staff; PTA representatives; appropriate municipal and county governmental
agency officials.”
♦ “Parent representatives will serve with MCPS staff on
facility advisory committees to modify, modernize/replace, or construct new
facilities. Parent
representatives will be identified by MCCPTA area vice presidents, cluster
coordinators, or PTA presidents in collaboration with school principals.”
♦”When
the Board of Education identifies the need for changes in school service areas
and the geographic scope of a study, and advisory committee will be formed to
evaluate boundary change options….The MCCPTA area vice president, cluster
coordinator(s), or PTA presidents will identify parent representation from
areas throughout the geographic scope of the study approved by the Board. The MCCPTA area vice president, cluster
coordinator(s), or PTA presidents also may identify additional representatives
from parent or student organizations that have knowledge of the schools
involved.”
♦“Advisory
committee representatives serve as the liaison between the committee and the
community they represent.
Representatives share committee discussions and options with their
community through PTA meetings and other forums. Input received from the community is then
presented by representatives at subsequent advisory committee meetings. Community input is also factored into
committee member option evaluations and optional PTA or cluster position
papers. An advisory committee report
including evaluations of the options by committee representatives, and any
individual PTA or cluster position papers submitted on the options, will be
forwarded to the superintendent. The
superintendent will develop a recommendation after considering staff advice,
the advisory committee report, option evaluations and any PTA or cluster
position papers,…Copies of the superintendent’s
recommendation are distributed to the affected schools and PTAs and posted to
the MCPS web site.”
♦ “Upon
the appointment of a principal, but no later than six months before a new
school is scheduled to open, the deputy superintendent of schools will assign
the new school’s principal or another administrator to chair a
name-recommendation committee…The committee will be comprised of PTA
representatives from the attendance area that the new school will serve.”
♦ “When
a petition or request to name a section of a building submitted to the local
school principal…The principal will convene a selection committee of:…Two
parents (designated by the PTA).”
♦ “A
local school-community planning group is established in each school and is
composed of parents, teachers, local school administrators, and student
representatives where appropriate. The
committee is appointed by the principal in consultation with the president of
the PTA, PTSA, or similar group. Members
of the PTA or PTSA Board of Directors may comprise the nucleus of this
committee.”
♦ “After
consultation with the planning group, the principal, using the regular means of
school-parent communication (e.g., PTA/PTSA newsletter, school bulletin,
letter, or announcement sheet)…”
♦ “The
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County Council of
Parent Teacher Associations (MCCPTA) cooperate to insure a quality Foreign
language in the Elementary School Program (FLES).”
♦ “If a FLES program is approved by
the local committee, the principal is responsible for: …Facilitating the
distribution of information, questionnaires, and forms necessary for the
operation of the program.”
♦ “Performing
companies or individuals have bee n providing services for Montgomery Public
Schools for many years. Since 1972, the
Division of ECIA, Chapter I (formerly ESEA, Title I staff, later Chapter I and
Early Childhood Services), and the Montgomery County Council of Parent Teacher
Associations (MCCPTA) Cultural Arts Committee have been screening, approving,
and showcasing groups who wish to make presentations in the schools.”
♦ “Showcases are a series of 15-minute
presentations by performing companies or individuals on the approved list. The audience may include PTA Cultural Arts
representatives and MCPS staff….The showcases are sponsored by MCCPTA-EPI.”
♦ “Local schools will form a Planning Committee
for Performance composed of the principal, professional staff, and the PTA
cultural Arts Chairperson.”
♦ “At
the beginning of each school year, the principal, working with the School
Community Health Nurse (SCHN), should:
Consider a health information session as a part of the first PTA
meeting. Communicate with feeder schools
and MCCPTA about countywide efforts for head lice prevention and control.”
♦ “There will be no temporary or permanent
signs, banners, pennants, or the like placed in or on school buildings or on
school grounds by any group except those associated with activities sponsored
by the school or school PTA…”
♦ “After
reviewing [the Final Evaluation] report, the principal will distribute copies
to members of the school staff, president of the PTA, the superintendent,
deputy superintendent, central office associate superintendents, and the area
associate superintendent and his/her staff.”
♦ “A
PTA meeting will be scheduled to provide a forum for parent discussion of the
evaluation findings and to promote community knowledge about and confidence in
school programs as well as support for future budget requests related to the
committee’s recommendations.”
Selected
MCPS Policies
♦ “Assistance to develop parental
involvement in educational advocacy through PTAs and other organizations,
including school system task forces and advisory committees”
♦ “Local
schools are expected to work with PTA, other parent organizations, and parent
outreach personnel to ensure parental input form a broad range of culturally
and linguistically diverse groups”
♦“in
addition, appropriate staff in central offices are
expected to support local school efforts and, where relevant: assist in the development of parent
leadership through PTAs and other recognized groups”
♦ “Examples
of Appropriate Fund Raising Groups:
School-sponsored organizations and clubs; Individual school classes or
grade-level groups; Parent-teacher associations; Other
parent-sponsored organizations, such as booster clubs; Countywide student
organizations”
♦ “The
Board of Education encourages participation and involvement of PTA’s and other
citizens in the identification and resolution of transportation and safety
issues.”
♦ “Upon receipt of a timely appeal to the Board
of Education….No later than twenty days prior to its being held, the
appellant(s) and the PTA for the schools in question shall be notified in
writing that a public hearing will be held as to the matter in dispute.”
♦ “The
principals and presidents of the PTA or equivalent parent organization of
public and nonpublic schools shall be notified in writing by the superintendent
of schools or his/her designee of any prospective changes in bus service
preceding the new school year.”
♦ “Provide
a constructive and collaborative advisory role through public hearings,
position papers, written comments, and advisory committee membership for parent
organizations (such as the PTA) and other community groups in the capital
improvements program.
MCCPTA
Fact Sheet
·
MCCPTA has existed since 1944.
·
MCCPTA had over 51,620 members in 2005-06
·
MCCPTA membership comprises 24% of the total PTA
members in the State of
·
MCCPTA has 190 local PTA chapters with three
additional schools currently organizing PTAs.