Using Parent Guides to Support
the Common Core State Standards Webinar

 On February 28, 2011, National PTA President Charles J. "Chuck" Saylors conducted a live webinar to discuss PTA's new Parents' Guide to Student Success. These guides support the Common Core State Standards in mathematics and English language arts that have been adopted by over 40 states across the country.

PTAs can play a pivotal role in how the standards are put in place at the state and district levels. Although many states have adopted the standards, we are still in the very early stages of the implementation process. Once the standards are implemented, a key part of the work will be to help teachers and parents talk about and understand how the standards can be used to improve their children's chance for success. The guides are a great tool that PTAs, Departments of Education, and school districts can use to make the standards understandable to parents and family members.

To assist PTAs and parents in better understanding what the Common Core State Standards are and to prepare for these conversations, the webinar  reviewed the guides, which include:

• Key items that children should be learning in English language arts and mathematics in each grade once the standards are fully implemented.
• Activities that parents can do at home to support their child's learning.
• Methods for helping parents build stronger relationships with their child's teacher.
• Tips for planning for college and career (high school guides only).