(June 27, 2011) IDRA’s Quality Schools Action Framework emphasizes connections among schools and communities to secure success for all students. After decades of working with schools to integrate IDRA’s Family Leadership in Education Model, we added a twist. An innovative PTA Comunitario (Community PTA) was initiated two years ago in south Texas and is now multiplying. A second has been formally organized, and a third is in development. In this interview, four leaders of the nation’s first PTA Comunitario talk about their experience and passion for community engagement in education. Aurelio Montemayor, M.Ed., director of the IDRA Texas Parent Information and Resource Center, interviews these four leaders: Eva Carranza, Emilia Vega, Angelica Nava and Carmen Vargas. The conversation was in Spanish. A summary in English is available online in the shownotes. Send comments to
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* Eva and Emilia talk about why their organization is known as “ARISE South Tower PTA Comunitario.”
* Carmen and Eva explain why they want to see PTA organizations like ARISE start up in other districts, and the benefits that the groups bring to parents, particularly for Title I schools.
* Emilia talks about the “human dignity” that shines through in ARISE, and how it empowers parents to be the first and most important teachers of their children.
* Angélica describes the dynamic nature of their PTA Comunitario meetings.
* Eva talks about the ARISE goal of strengthening its partnership with the school “step by step, day by day,” by working toward the mutual goal of serving and meeting the needs of students.
* Carmen discusses the strong communication that ARISE seeks to build with all of the parents, regularly sending out notices well in advance of upcoming meetings.
* Emilia shares some of the event programs that ARISE offers for parents and their children, including information and education fairs.
* Eva offers advice for other parents who might be thinking about starting a PTA Comunitario of their own.
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(June 27, 2011) IDRA’s Quality Schools Action Framework emphasizes connections among schools and communities to secure success for all students. After decades of working with schools to integrate IDRA’s 
