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�WELCOME!!��Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Your PTA��

In the Chat…

Please share your name and PTA and why diversity, equity, and inclusion matters for your PTA.

This workshop is being recorded.

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WORKSHOP SPEAKERS�

Helen Westmoreland

Sylvia R. Reyna

Frances Frost

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BENEFITS OF ENGAGING ALL FAMILIES

Children whose parents are involved in school are more successful in school

Authentically advocate for the needs of all children

More voices * More hands!

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OUR OBJECTIVES:

Define concepts of diversity, inclusion, and equity; apply to your local PTA

1

Analyze the diversity, level of inclusion and equity in membership, governance, programs & advocacy in PTA

2

Discover strategies to increase diversity, inclusion and equity in PTA

3

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Define concepts of diversity, inclusion, and equity; apply to your local PTA

1

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WHAT DO THESE TERMS MEAN?

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WE BELIEVE DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH.

We represent parents, caregivers, educators and communities of all children, which enables us to best achieve PTA’s mission to make every child’s potential a reality. Our collective backgrounds, perspectives and ideas allow us to best reflect the rich fabric of 21st century children, families, educators and community members—and create the strongest future and direction for PTA.

In the chat:

What is one way diversity shows up in PTA?

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WE BELIEVE COLLABORATION MUST BE INCLUSIVE.

We can only achieve our mission and vision in full collaboration and partnership with the broadest possible set of volunteers, staff, educators, schools and communities. We foster an association where everyone feels they belong, are integral to achieving our vision and have the opportunity to flourish and contribute at the highest level. That means tending to power dynamics where they occur and setting up a level playing field for all to engage in our work.

In the chat:

What is one way inclusion shows up in PTA?

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WE BELIEVE EQUITY DRIVES OUR MISSION.

Equity provides fairness in resources, opportunities and outcomes so that all communities get what they need to be engaged and successful. This moves beyond an “equal across the board” approach to:

Recognize and address bias and privilege.
Understand and attend to specific individual and community needs, providing additional resources to those with greater needs.

In the chat:

What is one way equity shows up in PTA?

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Define concepts of diversity, inclusion, and equity; apply to your local PTA

1

Analyze where your PTA is on its diversity, equity, and inclusion journey

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3

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Diversity

At the Emerging stage, PTAs are focused on recruitment and building membership and leadership comprised of individuals from different backgrounds and experiences.

Inclusion

At the Intermediate stage, PTAs are focused on culture and creating an environment in which everyone is comfortable sharing and contributing their experiences.

Equity

At the Advanced stage, PTAs are focused on systems to improve equity. The primary goal is integration of an equity lens into all aspects of the association’s work.

Color/Identity-Blind

At the Beginning stage, PTAs are “color-blind,” or “identity-blind,” either by design or default and do not lift up issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity in any regular or routine way.

The DEI Journey at PTA

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Which stage reflects your PTA’s DEI efforts?

Beginning (Color/Identity-Blind)

B. Emerging (Diversity Focus)

C. Intermediate (Inclusion Focus)

D. Advanced (Equity Focus)

Audience

Reflection:

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KNOW YOUR SCHOOL AND PTA DATA

Have a clear understanding of your school’s demographic makeup

Highly Qualified Teachers
Absenteeism
Academic Achievement
Students Receiving Services
Suspensions & Expulsions
Graduation
What else?

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KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY

African-Americans

High schoolers

Essential workers

Non-Christians

Immigrants

Military

LGBTQ

Special education

English language learners

Homeless

Grand-parents

Magnet program

Small group breakouts

This is your active part – Take out your paper or notes

Just from the top of your head – list the different groups or categories of the students and families in your school community. You might also include grade levels, or school programs – is there a magnet program, technical/vocational programs, alternative program in your school or district? You can decide if you want to do this at the school, district or state level, depending on your PTA role.

Put some of these groups in the chat – try to be additive to the list, it might be hard depending on how fast everyone types, but try to add something new. There is so much diversity in our country, that its impossible to run out of categories.

Now – on that same list or diagram – circle the ones who are adequately represented in your PTA. You have to consider your demographics, too. If your school is 40% Black students and there is one Black mom active in your PTA – don’t circle that. Think about who shows up for PTA meetings, who is vying for leadership positions, who is working on your committees. Compare that to your school demographics. All those people who you haven’t circled = that’s your target membership goal for next year. When we’re done, give a copy of this paper to your Membership chairman.

But for now, keep this list handy, we’re going to come back to this again.

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Which groups are under-represented in your PTA? What are barriers to their engagement?

Pause & Discuss

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IDENTIFY BARRIERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Culture

Expectations of parents’ role
Feeling welcome
Attitude towards school & institutions
Language

Socio-economics

Costs (real or assumed)
Availability
Other priorities

Institutional policies & practices

Time/location
Activities and format
Insider lingo

Relevancy of issues

Related to academic success of students
Relevant to parents’ priorities
Accessible advocacy activities

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Define concepts of diversity, inclusion, and equity; apply to your local PTA

1

2

Discover strategies to move to more equity-centered membership, leadership, programs & advocacy

3

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EQUITY IN PTA MEMBERSHIP

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EQUITABLE MEMBERSHIP

General Approach:

With a More EQUITABLE Lens:

Have little to no engagement with parents/community members who do not actively seek out organization
Assuming everyone knows what PTA is about
Not collecting or analyzing data by demographic group

Asking every parent to join the PTSA
Partnering with community organizations to reach out to potential members
Sharing messages that conveys that every parent belongs in PTA
Membership sponsorships

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CREATE EFFECTIVE PTA MESSAGING

Why PTA exists – what are the goals, what do you stand for
What your PTA has achieved
How parents’ engagement with PTA benefits themselves, their children and the school community
Address issues that matter most to the families and communities whom you seek to engage
What your PTA expects of members – dues, volunteering, advocacy, meetings

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EQUITY IN PTA GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP�

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EQUITABLE GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP

General Approach:

With a More EQUITABLE Lens:

Rotation of the same PTA leaders
Nomination Committee asks people they know to run for office
Plan a couple activities focused on diversity

Diversity committee helps every committee use a “DEI lens” in their workplans
Measure your progress on DEI efforts – both in headcounts and in impacts
Review bylaws for leadership requirements that may limit diversity in leadership

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In the chat:

How would you refine or revolutionize PTA’s governance structures to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion?

OVERCOMING STRUCTURAL BARRIERS

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EQUITY IN PTA PROGRAMMING

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EQUITABLE PROGRAMS

GENERAL Approach:

With a More EQUITABLE Lens:

Program Committee hosts the same program(s) annually
Family Reading Night
Program Topic: Tips for Beach Week!

Family Reading Night with active parent participation, ELL supports, activities to take home, and feedback opportunities
Program Topics:

College Application Prep
Summer Employment Options

Keep programs relevant to families’ needs

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EQUITY IN PTA ADVOCACY

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EQUITABLE ADVOCACY

General Approach:

With a More EQUITABLE Lens:

Everyone gets school supplies
Posting a #BlackLivesMatter image on social media

Advocating for history/social studies content that covers indigenous experiences
Discussing disproportionate discipline with school leaders
Advocating for more Black teachers in school
Coaching a parent on how to advocate for her child to receive their special education services

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In the chat:

What is one thing you will start, stop, or change to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in your PTA?

YOUR

COMMITMENT

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Learn More!�

PTA Leader Resource: How to Welcome Diverse Perspectives into Your PTA (en Español)
PTA Leader Training: PTA 101: The National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers and Unification
Parent Resource: How to Talk to Your Child About Race and Injustice in America
Parent Resource: Notes from the Backpack: A PTA Podcast
National PTA’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (en Español)
National PTA’s Position Statement on Institutional Racism

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Resources from the

Diversity, Inclusion, & Outreach Committee�

A community for resource-sharing, encouragement, and problem-solving!

National PTA Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach Facebook Group

Questions for the Committee?

E-mail diversity@pta.org

Have something special to share about your DEI work or want to see some good examples?

Check out and apply for the Jan Harp Domene Diversity & Inclusion Awards

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