Middle School Archive

Parent involvement in middle school can be a challenge; we'll help you meet it. The articles below have tons of ideas and tips for connecting with middle school parents. Find more helpful tools and info on the Middle School Involvement resources page.

  • Protect Volunteers From Legal Risks

    Having a few key policies in place can minimize the risks to parent volunteers.

  • Teachers Influence Involvement

    Want more parents to get involved at your school? Personal invitations from teachers may be the way to go.

  • Involvement Ranks Last in School Reform

    Parent involvement may be a focus of the No Child Left Behind Act’s school improvement prescriptions, but it’s the least likely to be implemented, according to a 2007 report issued by the Rand Corp.

  • How's Your Q Score?

    When parents think about your PTO, what kind of feeling do they get? Marketers call that a Q score; here's why it matters.

  • Get Dads Involved

    You can get dads connected and volunteering. It just takes a concerted effort and a different approach than you use for moms.

  • Prisoners Help Renovate School

    PTO leaders coordinate with the state's prison work-release program for a minimum-security makeover of the school's building.

  • Hmong Parent Group Connects Cultures

    St. Paul, Minn., junior high school teacher Ann Hebble talks about the parent group she founded to serve the school's population of Hmong families.

  • Volunteer Focuses on Community Service

    Giving back is a great way to set a good example and gets the entire parent community involved.

  • Quiz: Rate Your Involvement IQ

    See how your group's attitudes and practices for building parent involvement measure up.

  • Recruit Volunteers by Phone

    "Can you make a few calls?" may be the single phrase volunteers least like to hear. A simple system can make the task less stressful and more successful.

  • Troubled Times, Proactive PTO

    With their school getting media exposure for all the wrong reasons, the leaders of PTO Today's 2005 Southern Region Parent Group of the Year stepped in to help administrators and students.

  • Communication for Middle School PTOs

    Middle school parent group leaders share the messages and communication strategies that have helped them build involvement.

  • National Winner: Middle School Magic

    Creating involvement at the middle school level can be tough, but Rosemont Ridge PTO has the magic touch. That made them PTO Today's 2004 Parent Group of the Year.

  • Time: The New Currency for Volunteers

    Time is a precious commodity for today's overcommitted families. To get them involved, show them you understand and offer a variety of ways they can participate.

  • Is Your PTO a Clique?

    You work hard to make your parent group welcoming, but to other parents it still might seem like a closed circle. Here's why—and what to do about it.

  • Middle School: A Role for Parents

    Involvement can be a harder sell in middle school, but there are still plenty of ways parents can participate.
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