As I look back through my posts and research I have done I believe that schools must spend money to keep schools strong.  They need to keep the buildings safe and modern, the technology relevant, the teachers well-trained and paid a respectful amount to ensure the best teachers, and they need to be a benefit to their community.

However, as explored in this blog, money alone will not create a better school or a better education for their students.  In districts that not only spend money effectively, but also are involved in their schools and active in the PTA/PTSO.  I think that this is also evident in Charter School which demand parent involvement and volunteers.

There is strong and well-documented research going back decades that show that parental involvement helps students more frequently pursue higher education, have better socialization, less absences and more. Sources:

http://www.nea.org/tools/17360.htm
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Final_Parent_Involvement_Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pdf
http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/parent-involvement/

As a teacher my job is to step up and help bring parents into the school.  With help from great leaders like the teacher who sent out the email that I posted in my last update, I believe that at my current school a strong PTSO is under development and will become better.  If teachers team-up and work together we can inspire not only our students but the community we live and teach in.