Hi Pals, actually the PTA's Standards of Parent Involvement is built around the types of parent involvement identified by Joyce L. Epstein, Ph.D. This was an article on the PTA program from 1-29-03 in which Joyce Epstein discussed it. So that is why they are so similar!
www.pta.org//aboutpta/pressroom/innews06.asp

Hi guys...I was just on the PTO Today blog site and have to say that I was really excited to see that Tim had a post on there about Joyce Epstein's school involvement work. I just wanted to highly recommend her book..."School, Family, and Community Partnerships...Your handbook for action."
This past spring I attended a workshop based alot on her work and noticed that the National PTA Parent Involvement Schools of Excellence Assessment runs along the same lines. i found all of it to be an eye wakening experienence and that our school is already building a better community knowing our weak areas. If you get the chance to learn more about her work...do it. You will be glad you did!