National Service Representative2015

Diversity & Multiculturalism

By the end of this workshop you will be able to:

• Describe the meaning of diversity

• Communicate the value of growing a more diverse PTA

• Engage diverse populations

The Census Says…

In 2011, data showed that 47% of children in America are of color.

Between 1980 and 2011, the percentage of Hispanic children in the United States more than doubled from 9-24% and is projected to increase to 27% by 2020.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation: 2012 Kids Count Data

Understandingthe Meaningof Diversity

Diversity is…Valuing differences and similarities in people through actions and accountability. These differences and similarities include:

Adopted by the National PTA Board of Directors in 2010

“We have become not a melting pot, but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.”

Jimmy Carter39th President of the United States of America

National PTA By the Numbers

Past research has shown PTA membership is not as diverse as we need it to be to reflect all children we support:

– By ethnicity (61% Caucasian)

– By gender (89% Female)

– By geography (59% suburban)

– By employment (71% of PTA members work outside the home)

Data: 2012 NPTA Member/Leader Survey

National Standards for Family-School Partnerships

Overcoming Barriers to InclusionDoes Your PTA …?

• Hold meetings in flexible ways vs. meetings held at same time and place?

• Invite all families to PTA events using many communications vehicles?

• Celebrate your community’s cultural groups through family-centered activities?

• Offer transportation or child care options?• Communicate in the preferred languages of families in the

school? • Recruit a diverse representation of leaders – race, ethnicity,

preferred language, age, gender, profession, education level, etc.?

Diversity & MulticulturalismMoving it Forward with Next Steps!

• Learn more about the diversity of your community.o Use data sources to understand the demographics in your

area. Visit http://datacenter.kidscount.org/ and www.greatschools.org.

• Build your own “diversity” goals.o Pick some areas that you can easily change (perhaps gender

diversity) and some that might be a stretch for your PTA.

• Make your PTA a welcoming place for all.o Look for alternate times or places for your meetings. Ask

parents and others who don’t come to PTA meetings what would get them to attend. Be creative and responsive to feedback!

National PTA ResourcesFor Diversity

• National Standards for Family-School Partnerships• Urban Family Engagement Network (UFEN)• PTA MORE (Men Organized to Raise Engagement)

Alliance • Emerging Minority Leaders Conference (EMLC)• NPTA Committee on Diversity Resources• Jan Harp Domene Diversity & Inclusion Award• More to come…

Advocacy

• Sign up for PTA Takes Action• Access Advocacy Toolkit• Review National PTA Federal Policy Agenda• Join fellow PTA advocates for the National PTA

Legislative Conference

• For more information, visit pta.org/advocacy

Visit PTA.org to stay connected!

• Site map for our programs, tools and resources• Social media (Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, LinkedIn,

One Voice Blog, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube)

Membership BenefitsYou Are a Part of a Network:•54 PTA Congresses: including Puerto Rico, Europe DOD, and Virgin Islands•Over 20,000 PTAs and over 4.1 million members

You Are a Part of a Network with Benefits:•AARP, Hertz, MetLife, Schwan’s Cares, Staples, and Sylvan Learning•Visit PTA.org/Benefits to learn more

You Are a Part of a Network with Support:•Customizable membership applications, marketing materials, and information on new and existing benefit providers•Visit PTA.org/Today to learn more

“Diversity is the one true thing we all have in

common. Celebrate it every day.”

- Author Unknown

Questions?