Bella Vista Elementary

Why join? The research behind involvement

Family Involvement Matters. Your Support Makes a Difference

Research connects meaningful family involvement in education with stronger student achievement. Relationships between families and schools, encouragement at home, and conversations about learning all matter. The type of involvement matters too; there is no single approach that fits every family.

Stronger Learning Partnerships

A review of 51 studies highlights the importance of connecting family engagement to student learning and building respectful, trusting relationships.

Encouragement That Grows With Children

A middle-school meta-analysis found that discussing learning, educational expectations, and future goals was especially associated with academic achievement.

PTA is one way to build those connections. These studies examine family involvement, not the effect of paying membership dues. Joining PTA does not guarantee a particular academic outcome.

Read the research: Henderson & Mapp (2002) and Hill & Tyson (2009).

Start small. Make a difference.

Most Parents Are Busy. That's Okay.

You do not have to do everything to make a difference. Tell us what interests you and how much time you have, and we can help you find a way to contribute.

• From home: Ask about planning, organizing, or behind-the-scenes tasks.
• At an event: Help with a task or a shift that fits your schedule.
• On campus: Explore opportunities after completing the district's volunteer clearance.
• On a committee: Bring your interests and ideas, or ask about an open leadership role below.

For roles that require clearance, start with the SRVUSD volunteer application and follow the portal's instructions. You can take it one step at a time.