California State PTA launches parent-involvement PSA campaign

PRESS RELEASE

August 25, 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Linda Mayo, VP for Communications
(916) 261-1715

Alison apRoberts
Communications Manager
(916) 261-5286

State education leaders urge parents to get involved

California State PTA launches back-to-school PSA campaign

SACRAMENTO - The secret to children's success in school? Involved parents.

The most effective way to become an involved parent? Join the PTA.

To encourage parents to take up the challenge of getting more involved in their children's education, the California State PTA and the Pearson Foundation, joined by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, today launched a statewide public service announcement (PSA) campaign.

"All parents want the best for their children, and research has proven, time and again, that involved parents increase their children's chances for academic success," said Jo Loss, president of the California State PTA, which has nearly 1 million members throughout the state.

Joining in the announcement were:

Jack O'Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction;
Anne McKinney, Deputy California Secretary of Education; and
Mark Nieker, president of Pearson Foundation.

"Parents are critical partners in our effort to prepare all students for success in the increasingly competitive global economy," said Jack O'Connell. "I hope that these PSAs will inspire California parents to talk to their child about school, check to make sure they are completing their homework, help out in the classroom, or find some other way to get involved.

"As our schools grapple with implementing the devastating cuts in state support, PTAs around the state are stepping up to protect key local educational priorities," O'Connell added. "I am a proud member of the PTA, and I hope that parents throughout the state get involved with this wonderful organization at their local school."

"Parents are children's first and most important teachers. Their support and involvement play a huge role in ensuring California's students have the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond," Deputy Secretary McKinney said. "I applaud the California State PTA for the good work it is doing to support our students, parents and teachers, and I am pleased to join my partners in encouraging parents across the state to get involved in their children's education."

The Pearson Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Pearson plc, a leading media and education company, partnered with PTA to produce the PSA videos. An initial set of PSAs debuted during today's press conference at Bannon Creek Elementary School in the Natomas Unified School District.

The video spots feature real parents in unrehearsed and unscripted interviews talking about the benefits and rewards to their children - and to themselves - that flow from their involvement in their children's schools. The PSAs are designed for airing on TV and media websites. In addition, the Pearson Foundation and the California State PTA will be launching a campaign to post them on school, community and other websites, including the California State PTA website. The PTA PSAs are part of an interactive awareness campaign designed to get parents involved and communicating with each other online as well as on campuses.

"When parents reach out to other parents using video and other new media, they're practicing a new, 21st century kind of parent leadership," said Mark Nieker, Pearson Foundation President. "The Parent's Know the Answer public service announcements demonstrate Pearson's philanthropic commitment to helping California's parents learn and communicate in new, powerful ways."

To watch the initial set of PSAs, click here.

For a brief review of research findings about the benefits of parental involvement, click here.

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everychild.onevoice.

The California State PTA has nearly 1 million members throughout the state working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto, "Every child, one voice." The PTA is the nation's oldest, largest and highest profile volunteer organization working to improve the education, health and welfare of all children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is nonprofit, nonsectarian and noncommercial.

For more information about the California State PTA, visit www.capta.org.