I am planning on doing a *very* short speech at our schools open house in the fall. Where can I find some SHORT but effective statistics on the subject of "children who are involved in after school activities do better academically and/or socially"? As I have noticed in many schools the support for the PTO is little or none, just like ours. I'm trying to let parents know that pitching in with the PTO is not to help US out, but to help their children. Thanks!!!!

I was searching for some kind of statistic as well for our Kindergarten orientation, but never found the right format...but I did modify the following to include the items I thought were appropriate for school and read it when I closed my welcome to the parents. It may not be exactly what you are looking for, but thought it might help.....

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on
>the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
>
>When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you loved our animals and
>how you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to
>animals.
>
>When you thought I wasn't looking, I watched you make my favorite cake for
>me
>and I learned that the little things people do can be the special things in
>life.
>
>When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew
>there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
>
>When you thought I wasn't looking, I watched you make a meal and take it to
>a
>friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of
>each other.
>
>When you thought I wasn't looking, I watched you give of your time and
>money
>to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something
>should give to those who don't.
>
>When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I
>felt loved and safe in the comfort of my own home.
>
>When you thought I wasn't looking, I watched you take care of our house and
>everyone in it and I learned we have responsibilites and have to take care
>of
>the things that we are given.
>
>When you thought I wasn't looking, I watched carefully how you handled your
>responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I
>would have to be likewise responsible when I grow up.
>
>When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I
>learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
>
>When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be
>everything that I could be, I wanted to be like you.
>
>When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I
>need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
>
>When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say,
>"Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."
>
>Each of us, parent, grandparent, aunts, uncles, relative or friend,
>influence
>the
>life of a child in some way.

Did you happen to check out the PTO today articles? I think under parent involvement they give the percentages and the research source. Hope this helps.

Well, I don't have specific statistics, but I have an article from the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Nancy Grasmick, about the impact of family involvement in education, and she specifically states, "Thirty years of research show that family involvement in education is a powerful influence on student achievement. Children whose families are involved in school and schoolwork tend to perfrom better than children whose families aren't. They earn higher grades and test scores than their peers, attend school and complete homework more regularly, are better behaved, and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college."
For specific numbers and research, try the National Center for Education Statistics or the U.S. Dept. of Education. You should also try to look up your state's department of eduacation and see what kind of information they have. Check out Maryland Dept. of Education also. (Maryland has led the nation for three years in a row in reform of educational standards and has set numerous precedents for high standards that are used in states all over the country. This site is full of state and national statistics and information.)


Hope this helps.



[ 08-07-2002: Message edited by: MarylandMom ]</p>

Wow! This place is great So many responses and all with helpful ideas. Thank you thank you! I hope one day I can help out one of you

Here's an article that has some stats on parent involvement in schools (not really on the benefits of kids getting active, though): http://www.ptotoday.com/0801involvement.html

And here's a Web site with a bevy of powerful involvement stats:

www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/type%202%20resear...esearch%20Briefs.htm

It's the great work of our friends at the National Network of Partnership Schools at Johns Hopkins University.

Tim