From "Doing For" to "Doing With"

For too long, PTAs/PTSAs have organized programs for students without directly involving them in the planning process. By inviting students into board and committee roles, PTAs/PTSAs transform their culture and double their impact.

 

Building Authenticity & Real-World Skills

• Meeting Real Student Needs: Students know what their peers need on campus—whether it’s stress-relief events, new workshops, or updated campus programs.

• Low-Risk Professional Development: Students learn how meetings are structured, how budgets are built, how motions are made, and how to present ideas professionally.

• Parent-Student Partnerships: Parents model professional behavior, while students learn to find and use their voice in adult-led environments.

 

Cultivating a Culture of Respect Goes Both Ways

• The "Equal Seat" Standard: Parents learn to treat student board members with the same respect as adult volunteers.

• When Students Feel Heard: Parents speak to student leaders as peers, validate their input, and follow up on their ideas.

• "Students in the Shadows": Not every student wants to speak up right away—and that’s okay! Normalize different forms of participation and avoid assuming silence equals disengagement.