When was the last time you saw a dad at a PTA meeting?
Apparently, males are scarce at most Parent-Teacher Association meetings, which is why the appointment of Charles J. Saylors as the new president of the educational organization is making headlines around the country.
The Parent-Teacher Association is a national organization of 5.5 million members, though most of them are mothers, who have a reputation of being domineering, highly-organized and driven (not that I’m into stereotyping or anything). According to The New York Times, men make up only 10 percent on the national PTA membership. However, studies show male membership in the PTA has increased at a rate of 1 percent per year over the past five years.
The National Center of Fathering categorizes Saylors’ appointment as “outstanding” for men around the world and notes that it is reflective of a growing number of dads who are getting more involved in their children’s schooling. Considering that this is the first time in the PTA’s 112-year history that a dad has filled the post of president, it’s no wonder the news is providing a boost to fathers everywhere.
National parent groups are hoping Saylors’ new position will inspire other dads to become active members in their kids’ educations by engaging in activities like walking their children to school, chaperoning field trips, attending class functions, talking about education with other fathers, and helping with extracurricular activities.
To encourage more dads to get involved in their children’s schooling, the national PTA recently developed a “Three for Me” program. The new deal is a contractual agreement between school administrators and parents for three years of volunteer time throughout the school year.
The National Center for Fathering also has a worthwhile program to further encourage dads to flex their volunteer muscle in school. The Watch D.O.G.S program — Dads of Great Students — is designed to bring fathers into the classroom and is being used in 800 schools in 30 states.
Still not convinced that males can make a difference in a child’s education? Consider the following stats by the US Department of Education:
Students whose fathers were highly involved at school were 43 percent more likely to receive As.
Children of highly involved resident fathers were 55 percent more likely to enjoy school than those with uninvolved fathers.
Students with nonresident fathers who participated in even one activity at school were 39 percent less likely to repeat a grade and 50 percent less likely to experience serious disciplinary problems.
Related Articles:
Absent Fathers and the Awful Statistics – Part One
Awesome Dads and Awesome Stats – Part Two