By Celia Jaffe, Fourth District PTA Legislation Committee

As we active PTA members look for meaningful, appropriate ways to be involved with the education of our children and the decisions that affect all children, it is important to know which people are responsible for what kinds of decisions.

So before you complain to the superintendent about your child’s latest homework assignment or ask the teacher why her class has so many students, consider the following list of topics and the people who relate to them. Remember, too, to seek a conversation and information before you attempt to give opinion or influence policy. Courtesy and respectful inquiry go a long way toward understanding.

Talk to your child’s teacher about:

• your child’s special needs, progress, and classroom behavior
• homework
• promotion requirements
• what is being taught in class
• helping in the classroom
• test results and report cards
• best time for you to be contacted
• how you can support learning at home.

Talk to the principal (or vice principal) about:

• what is being taught and what textbooks are used
• student discipline and school rules
• how your child is assigned to a class and teacher
• the school dress code
• special programs to help your child learn
• the school’s safety plan
• ways you can help and support the school
• serving on the school-site council or advisory committees
• anything you can’t find answers for elsewhere.

Call the superintendent’s office about:

• unsolved problems
• district policies
• districtwide committees, task forces, and projects
• districtwide student test results
• the district’s philosophy of education
• how to run for school board
• agendas and minutes of school board meetings
• general issues and concerns.

Curriculum and instructional matters include:

• textbook selections
• academic standards
• standardized testing
• magnet, choice, and other special school programs.

Services for students (often called pupil personnel) include:

• specialized educational programs offered by and through your district (e.g. Special Education, Limited English Proficient, Gifted and Talented)
• your child’s eligibility for those programs
• the student evaluation and placement process
• explanation of special test scores

Business and operations or administrative services matters include:

• community use of school facilities and playing fields
• how much money your school district receives
• how the money is spent
• the condition of school buildings, including maintenance needs
• districtwide purchasing
• district budgets

Talk to school board members about:

• district vision and goals
• district policies
• questions about recent actions and decisions
• your opinion on current issues
• general concerns or questions

Adapted from “Where to Go for Answers” on www.edsource.org