ASCD and National PTA Partner on Whole Child Initiative
Alexandria, VA (05/27/09)—ASCD announced today that the National PTA has signed on as a partner in ASCD's Whole Child Initiative, which supports a system of academic achievement, accountability, and community engagement that ensures students are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. The National PTA joins more than 40 diverse whole child partners that represent a broad swath of the education, arts, and health and wellness fields.
"The Whole Child Initiative's partnership with the National PTA is significant because parents are a critical and growing audience for us," said ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter. "It's important for parents and educators to work hand-in-hand on behalf of student success. ASCD will collaborate with the PTA to provide parents and caretakers with the resources and expertise they need to ensure their children are receiving comprehensive education and support services."
ASCD's Whole Child Initiative is grounded in the belief that responsibility for educating and supporting the whole child neither starts nor stops at the schoolhouse door, and that schools, businesses, community agencies, policymakers, and families must align to provide conditions that support learning for each student.
Outside of educators, parents are the single largest group visiting the Whole Child Initiative's Web site. More than 40 percent of the site's visitors identify themselves as parents, a percentage that has steadily grown since the site launched just over two years ago. To meet the needs of these parents, ASCD will post critical PTA resources on the site, including the PTA's National Standards for Family-School Partnerships and corresponding assessment guide, which are designed to help develop and improve programs, practices, and policies that affect family and community engagement in schools. Meanwhile, the PTA will distribute information about the Whole Child Initiative to every attendee at their June Annual Conference.
"The National PTA advocates for increased parent involvement and community engagement in children's education, which research shows significantly raises student achievement," said National PTA Chief Executive Officer Byron V. Garrett. "Participating in ASCD’s Whole Child Initiative will help us build bridges between families and educators in support of student success."
ASCD and the National PTA are exploring other possible collaborations, including a podcast episode that focuses on parent engagement.
View a full list of ASCD’s Whole Child Partners.
Contact Information
- Barbara Michelman, communications director, ASCD, at 1-703-575-5764, or by e-mail.
- James Martinez, media relations manager, National PTA, at 1-312-670-6782 ext. 325, or by e-mail.
Founded in 1943, ASCD is a nonprofit educational leadership association that develops programs, products, and services essential to the way educators learn, teach, and lead. We provide expert and innovative solutions in professional development, capacity building, and educational leadership. ASCD's membership comprises more than 175,000 principals, teachers, superintendents, professors of education, and other educators from 119 countries. Our association also has nearly 60 affiliates throughout the world.
About the National PTA
National PTA comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education health, and welfare of children and youth.
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