Grab the Parent Voices New York Toolkit

The PVNY Toolkit contains documents which can be used by those who would like to start a PVNY group in their area including articles about High Stakes Testing, PVNY Posters, a highstakes testing Powerpoint Presentation, and copies of some of the information that we have on this website.

Plan an informal meeting

Plan an informal meeting to bring people together to discuss the issues as well as how to recruit more people. Our first meeting was on a Sunday night in someone’s living room with a group of parents who were angry and worried enough to want to do something, though we didn’t know what. (And we still meet in someone’s living room.)

Recruit more parents. 

• Talk to parents at your child’s school.
• Talk to parents at locations where families gather: parks, farmers’ markets, etc.
• Go to family events and talk to parents there.
• Use online tools: parent listserves, Facebook, etc.

When you are starting the dialogue with parents you don’t know or don’t know well, you might find that it is helpful to use the petition. Often if you are trying to get people to sign a petition they may be willing to engage in a conversation. You can also use other pieces in the toolkit as a way to educate and engage parents around these issues.

Have regular meetings

As your group grows, it will need to determine how often it should meet. When there are specific actions taking place, you may find the need to meet frequently. However, when things are quiet, you should continue to meet periodically. This allows you to plan future actions as well as maintain a level of cohesiveness for your group.

Take action. See What You Can Do to Take Action.

Stay connected to the PVNY parent body.

• Visit our website to stay abreast of upcoming actions and events. http://www.parentvoicesny.org/
• Please let us know when you have formed a PVNY satellite group by contacting us at  [email protected].
• Let us know of any actions you are planning.
• Be sure to have everyone in your group JOIN OUR MAILING LIST