Over thirty years of research has demonstrated that when parents are involved in their children's learning, those children are more successful in school. We all want success for our children and are willing to do what will help them. But how do you define parent involvement? Where can we find models of best practice and how can they be replicated?

Schools that are serious about looking at their own commitment to engaging parents and families in the work of educating all children are encouraged to use the National PTA's Parent Involvement Schools of Excellence Certification Program. This online tool is designed to assist school-based teams that include administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community members examine current parent/family involvement practices in the school using the National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement and to develop action plans to address gaps identified by the team. Rhode Island currently has three schools that have been recognized as Parent Involvement Schools of Excellence: Black Rock Elementary School (Coventry), Hopkins Hill Elementary School (Coventry) and Riverside Middle School (East Providence).

More information about the Parent Involvement Schools of Excellence Certification Program can be found at www.pta.org.