2. Education and the Power of Motherhood Byron V. Garrett Chief Executive Officer National PTA

3. A Partnership for Strong Healthy Families

4. Empowering Children Through the Arts Parenting Group sponsors PTA Reflections

5. “Never doubt that a group of committed citizens can change the world, indeed it's the only thing that ever has!” -Margaret Mead

6. Building Families, Bridging Communities Mothers are powerful

7. The Power of Mothers: PTA From school nutrition programs to child labor laws

8. Challenges for Mothers Children need dynamic education that draws upon technology and innovation to build 21st century skills.

9. Challenges for Mothers Our children are falling behind 150 high school students will drop out by the time this speech is over. Just 69 percent of American high school freshman graduate. 33 percent of 4 th -graders tested Below Basic proficiency on NAEP Reading. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) study of 30 countries ranks U.S. 15-year-olds #25 in math and #21 in science.

10. Challenges for Mothers Schools and communities in crisis Schools are closing; Kansas City, for example, closes 29 of 61 schools. Recession’s effects linger; fewer resources from companies or government. School layoffs mean talented young teachers are out of classrooms. In cities, youth violence still a problem. Parents must find quality child care with an already tapped household budget

11. Why America Needs Mother Power Our country cannot survive half-educated

12. Listen to the musn't's child, listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won't's. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me. Anything can happen, child, anything can be. - Shel Silverstein

13. Mothers As Change Agents The Power of Parental Engagement When families are involved in their children’s learning (at home and at school), children do better in school. Race/ethnicity, class, parent’s level of education don’t factor into the effect of involvement on student success. All families can contribute to their children’s education.

14. Mothers As Change Agents The Power of Volunteers Every hour of volunteering in schools and communities is worth $20.25 in new resources. PTA members gave 62 million hours—$1.2 billion in resources—to schools and communities last year. PTA members raised $323 million to improve education and child health.

15. Be a Champion for Children Five Steps to Engagement in Education 1. Learn with your child

16. 2. Join PTA and invite others. Be a Champion for Children Five Steps to Engagement in Education

17. 3. Develop a meaningful relationship with your child's school. Be a Champion for Children Five Steps to Engagement in Education

18. 4. It's about all...not just some! Be a Champion for Children Five Steps to Engagement in Education

19. 5. Commit to stand up and speak out for children. Be a Champion for Children Five Steps to Engagement in Education

20. Being a man or woman is a matter of birth; being a man or woman who makes a difference, is a matter of choice!

21. (800) 307-4PTA (4782) www.pta.org