Reshaping The PTA - One Dad At A Time

CBS Evening News: Grassroots Drives Around The Country Are Urging Fathers To Get More Involved At School

(CBS)  On a PTA night in Taylors, S.C., Chuck Saylors works the room, one father at a time.

"Now come on, Dad. We need some help here," he says.

He urges fathers to get involved in their children's schools - a job usually left to the moms, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann.

Saylors is president-elect of the national PTA - the first man to ever lead an organization once known as the National Congress of Mothers.

"My mother did a great job. My wife does a great job," he says. "But it's time for the men - the dads - to step up and help out."

When kids see a parent in school, it's usually someone's mother. Nationally, PTA membership is 90 percent female. But across America, grassroots drives are reaching out to dads.

In Chicago, a group called the Black Star Project, founded by Phillip Jackson 12 years ago, is leading black men back to school - their children's school.

"Men must find a way to be involved in the educational development of their children," says Jackson.

The Black Star Project has mobilized fathers in more than 400 cities.

"Children learn more, they learn faster, they have better attendance, higher graduation rates. This is simply from men being involved," says Jackson.

One study shows that in two-parent homes, where the dad is highly involved, a child's odds of getting mostly A's increases by 42 percent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

But Saylors says many dads don’t think they have the time.

"They just simply don't like to sit there and listen to a 30-minute report about the gift wrap sale. Okay, fine. Let's make it time-friendly. Let's have meetings that are quick and timely and to the point."

As a start, Saylors wants dads to give just three hours throughout the school year to read, volunteer or do something. Just get involved.

[tracydinezza]

*members* sorry for the typo.

[tracydinezza]

I think it''s terrific!! Our daughter is in 1st grade now and both I and My husband believe it to very important that the kids see that a Dad can be there for them and care enough too! We both were regular volunteers and active PTA memebers both last year during kindergarten and this year. It really does make a difference. We''ve seen it first hand and we want to continue it. After all, It "DOES take a villiage to raise a child" and that goes for educating them too!

[lcms141]

I found your story on fathers getting involved in the PTA. I have two daughters that attend the same school. One in grade 8 and the other in grade 5. I have always been involved my daughters'' education in various ways. I have served as a room parent, volunteered for field trip duty and even coached the school''s sports teams. These are some of the more traditional roles filled by men. Recently I was elected to serve as the President of the Parent Teacher League. This is a new role for me and I must say that I enjoy the enhanced level of involvement in the educational process. I firmly believe that fathers should take an active role in all facets of their child''s life. Both of my daughters are honor roll students and very much enjoy seeing me at school. Time is always an issue particularly with my job. I am an elected official (Sheriff) and my job is very demanding but I force myself to make time to stay involved in my daughter''s education. My wife is very encouraging and supportive of my involvement and also plays a critical role in our daughter''s education. I hope you continue to highlight and stress the importance of fathers getting involved and staying involved in the education of their children. Great story!

[lcms141]

I found your story on fathers getting involved in the PTA. I have two daughters that attend the same school. One in grade 8 and the other in grade 5. I have always been involved my daughters'' education in various ways. I have served as a room parent, volunteered for field trip duty and even coached the school''s sports teams. These are some of the more traditional roles filled by men. Recently I was elected to serve as the President of the Parent Teacher League. This is a new role for me and I must say that I enjoy the enhanced level of involvement in the educational process. I firmly believe that fathers should take an active role in all facets of their child''s life. Both of my daughters are honor roll students and very much enjoy seeing me at school. Time is always an issue particularly with my job. I am an elected official (Sheriff) and my job is very demanding but I force myself to make time to stay involved in my daughter''s education. My wife is very encouraging and supportive of my involvement and also plays a critical role in our daughter''s education. I hope you continue to highlight and stress the importance of fathers getting involved and staying involved in the education of their children. Great story!