By Cherie Egbert –
Public education is facing serious challenges. In the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD), declining enrollment, lower test scores, shrinking budgets, and the loss of key staff have strained schools. From 2023 to 2024, student achievement in language arts dropped, and fewer than one-third of students met math standards. Meanwhile, intervention specialists, paraeducators, and maintenance staff — those who keep campuses safe and supportive — have been cut.
Yet even amid these difficulties, there is hope. The solution lies not far away, but right within our community: Ventura’s families and residents.
Our schools may not be able to restore every lost position, but they can build strength by forming deeper partnerships with parents and caregivers. After 12 years of working with VUSD families, I’ve seen their dedication firsthand. Parents want to contribute — not only for their children, but for all children.
Research shows that when families are engaged, students attend school more often, behave better, and perform
better academically. Family engagement also improves school climate and teacher satisfaction. It’s not a luxury — it’s essential.
But true engagement is more than showing up for events. It means collaboration. Schools must not just inform
families — they must share power and include parents in meaningful decision-making.
One effective framework for this shift is the PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships,
which outline six key practices:
- Welcoming All Families
- Communicating Effectively
- Supporting Student Success
- Speaking Up for Every Child
- Sharing Power
- Collaborating with the Community
These aren’t vague ideals — they’re practical steps any school can implement. Imagine a school where every
parent is greeted with respect, where communication is two-way, and where families are empowered to shape decisions.
When families feel connected, they contribute more — whether by volunteering, advocating, or simply supporting
from home. These contributions build a culture of belonging that benefits everyone.
Of course, not every family can engage in the same way, and that’s okay. The goal is to create school environments that are inclusive and flexible enough to welcome all forms of participation.
Still, we must acknowledge that trust has been broken in some communities. Some parents feel dismissed or overlooked.
Rebuilding trust means more than inviting families in — it requires consistent respect, communication, and shared goals.
To make this vision a reality, VUSD should adopt a districtwide family engagement policy that is:
- Based on the PTA Standards
- Written in clear, accessible language
- Available in both digital and print formats
- Reinforced throughout the school year
This policy must not gather dust — it should be a living part of every school’s culture.
Families are not separate from education — they are central to it. Especially in times of limited resources and growing demands, we must support one another more than ever.
A strong school is built on partnership. Let’s not wait for things to worsen — let’s start now, with open hearts and a shared belief in the power of our community.
Because the answer isn’t out there. It’s us.
Learn more at PTA.org/Standards
or contact VenturaPTACouncil@gmail.com.
Cherie Egbert is Vice President of the Ventura Council of PTAs, which recently received a National PTA grant to strengthen family-school partnerships.
