--- title: "Back to School: Associations Help Teachers, Parents Get Ready" id: "47741" type: "post" slug: "back-to-school-associations-help-teachers-parents-get-ready" published_at: "2019-08-21T20:55:56+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-17T01:57:52+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/08/21/back-to-school-associations-help-teachers-parents-get-ready/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/08/21/back-to-school-associations-help-teachers-parents-get-ready.md" excerpt: "From new reports and campaigns to always-handy resources, these associations have plenty to work with for families, teachers, and administrators ahead of the first day." taxonomy_category: - "Learning" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "back-to-school" - "Business" - "Education Law" - "teacher resources" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Back to School: Associations Help Teachers, Parents Get Ready School is in session this week—or it’s just about to be for many districts. And with that in mind, associations have been getting ready with information, campaigns, and resources to help make sure no detail is unturned. Here are just a few examples worth checking out and possibly even borrowing from: **Retailers’ assessment of the back-to-school landscape.** According to the latest edition of the National Retail Federation’s Back-to-School report, spending on gear for classes and beyond is on the rise and projected to hit a record $80.7 billion this year, with clothing and accessories the biggest driver of interest. Perhaps the most stunning number, however, is the cost of shopping per student: $696.70 for grade schoolers and $976.78 for college students. NRF has other information, including detailed graphics, [on its website (opens in a new tab)](https://nrf.com/insights/holiday-and-seasonal-trends/back-school) . **Help for the first week.** With preparation on the minds of teachers at the moment, the National Education Association [has a lot of resources (opens in a new tab)](http://www.nea.org/tools/back-to-school-guide.html) for helping to get their classrooms ready for the first students. This year, the NEA even has advice inspired by [the Danish design trend Hygge (opens in a new tab)](http://neatoday.org/2018/07/17/hygge-in-the-classroom/?_ga=2.54028392.1329514176.1566416149-1301666423.1566416149) and the famed professional organizer [Marie Kondo (opens in a new tab)](http://neatoday.org/2019/03/15/konmari-de-clutter-the-classroom/?_ga=2.54028392.1329514176.1566416149-1301666423.1566416149) . **Social workers boost their awareness.** [A new awareness campaign (opens in a new tab)](https://www.sswaa.org/communication-campaign) by the School Social Work Association of America and the National Association of Social Workers will highlight the important work that social workers do to support the student body to both policymakers and the public at large. The groups launched a kickoff video earlier this month. **Giving gifted students a leg up.** Families around the country might be wondering how to keep children who have shown signs of greatness engaged and challenged in school—and teachers and administrators might be wondering the same. For those groups, the National Association for Gifted Children [offers a wide array of resources (opens in a new tab)](https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/back-school-resource-roundup) for every person that plays a role in a gifted student’s life. **A starting point for special-ed teachers.** Whether new to the gig or well-seasoned, the National Association of Special Education Teachers [offers a lot of resources (opens in a new tab)](https://www.naset.org/index.php?id=3103) to its members through its *Back to School Special Review*, a roundup of different guides that offer ideas for setting up a classroom, helping parents with their children’s homework, and behavior crisis management. “At NASET, we are always looking to provide the most useful information for teachers throughout the school year,” the association says. (Ridofranz/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#back-to-school](https://associationsnow.com/tag/back-to-school/) [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Education Law](https://associationsnow.com/tag/education-law/) [#teacher resources](https://associationsnow.com/tag/teacher-resources/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoAmerican College of Emergency Physicians: ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation ProgramSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-college-of-emergency-physicians-acep-geriatric-emergency-department-accreditation-program/) - [ArticleAssociations Offer Back-to-School SupportAugust 29, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/08/29/associations-offer-back-to-school-support/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents Practical AI-How Associations Are Putting It To WorkJanuary 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/01/29/associations-now-presents-practical-ai-how-associations-are-putting-it-to-work/) - [PodcastWhy Associations Must Rethink Learning and Community TogetherMarch 26, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/03/26/why-associations-must-rethink-learning-and-community-together/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2019%2F08%2F21%2Fback-to-school-associations-help-teachers-parents-get-ready%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !