Parental Involvement in Schools Part I

In time where work is a necessity, it may be difficult for parents to be involved in their child's education.  Many school districts lack volunteers for the various functions throughout the year, but does this type of participation really make a difference in a child's education?

Studies show that "86% of the general public believe that support from parents is the most important way to improve schools".  Research shows that when parents are involved students have:

• higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates
• higher attendance 
• higher motivation and self esteem
• decreased rates of drug problems, violent behavior, and school suspensions

Consider the following key findings:

• Programs and interventions that engage families in supporting their children’s learning at home are linked to higher student achievement.
• The continuity of family involvement at home appears to have a protective effect on children as they progress through our complex education system. The more families support their children’s learning and educational progress, the more their children tend to do well in school and continue their education.
• Families of all cultural backgrounds, education, and income levels encourage their children, talk with them about school, help them plan for higher education, and keep them focused on learning and homework. In other words, all families can, and often do, have a positive influence on their children’s learning.
• Parent and community involvement that is linked to student learning has a greater effect on achievement than more general forms of involvement. To be effective, the form of involvement should be focused on improving achievement and be designed to engage families and students in developing specific knowledge and skills.
• Programs that successfully connect with families and community invite involvement, are welcoming, and address specific parent and community needs.
• Parent involvement programs that are effective in engaging diverse families recognize, respect, and address cultural and class differences.
• Effective programs to engage families and community embrace a philosophy of partnership. The responsibility for children’s educational development is a collaborative enterprise among parents, school staff, and community members.
• Organized initiatives to build parent and community leadership to improve lowperforming schools are developing in low-income urban areas and the rural South. These community organizing efforts use strategies that are aimed at establishing a power base to hold schools and school districts accountable for low student achievement. They have contributed to changes in policy, resources, personnel, school culture, and educational programs.

Helping children succeed in schools is very important for parents, schools, and teachers.  As future educators we need to make sure that we encourage parental involvement and help students succeed.  How do you plan on making sure parents become involved?  Below are the six types of parental involvement.

Type of Involvement	In Grade 8	In Grade 12
Parenting	·      Expressing expectations about students education ·      Limiting television viewing ·      Supervising time use and behavior	·      Discussing interests, issues, and studies at school ·      Doing things together ·      Supervising behavior ·      Knowing what courses to take ·      Supervising academic work
Communicating	·      Parent-initiated contacts about ·      academic performance ·      – School-initiated contacts about ·      student’s academic program ·      (courses, placement)	·      School-initiated contacts about ·      academic performance ·      – Parent-initiated contacts on ·      student’s academic program ·      – Parent-school contacts on ·      post-secondary plans
Supporting School	·      Volunteering at school land fundraising	·      Volunteering at school and attending school activities
Learning at home	·      School-initiated contacts about ·      academic performance ·      – Parent-initiated contacts on ·      student’s academic program ·      – Parent-school contacts on ·      post-secondary plans	·      Encouraging college ·      – Encouraging high school graduation ·      – Learning about postsecondary ·      education ·      – Taking on private educational ·      expenses
Decision making	Taking part in parent organizations	Taking part in parent organizations
Collaborating with community	·      Using community learning resources ·      Taking part in community groups	Communicating parent-to-parent