Parent Involvement EDU222 Dr. Danan Myers

Think about ir…. What is your experience with parent involvement? –As a student how did your parent get involved? –As a teacher, how have you involved parents? –As a parent, how were you involved?

What NCLB says Assisting their child’s learning Being actively involved in their child’s education at school Serving as full partners in their child’s education and being included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child The carrying out of other activities

For districts receiving Title I funds… a written parent involvement policy jointly with parents, agreed on with parents, and distributed to parents and incorporated in the school district’s Title I plan that it must submit to the state in order to qualify for Title I funding

What IDEA says Parents must be informed of any intervention programs and referrals Parents must consent for testing and placement (even change of placements) of a student is special education Parents must be at meetings or meetings need to be rescheduled for a time that parents can attend or given alternate way to attend via phone conference

How Parents view Parent Involvement Something that occurs primarily in the home –Talking with their child about the school day –Promoting good attendance –Reading to or with children –Monitoring homework

How Teachers view Parent Involvement Meetings Volunteering

WHY IS PARENT INVOLVEMENT SO IMPORTANT?

Research shows Parent/family involvement significantly contributes to improved student outcomes. –children go farther in school –there is a reduction in excessive absenteeism –A noticeable difference in behavior has been reported Everyone – students, parents, teachers, administrators, and communities – benefits from family involvement.

Outdated Thinking of Parent Involvement Parents should come to school only when invited Stay-at-home mothers serve as “homeroom mothers” Parents visit school mainly for children’s performances and open houses Parents help raise money for school.

More positive attitudes toward school; Higher achievement more homework completed consistently Higher graduation rates Higher enrollment rates in post-secondary education

Increased parent involvement has often been cited as one of the most important ways to improve schools.

Even involvement at home Parent involvement at home has more impact on children –Helping with homework –Asking questions about school day –Showing interest in learning –Reading together nightly Listening to child read Reading to child Reading with child –Going to the library

For Parents Greater knowledge of education programs and how schools work Knowledge of how to be more supportive of their children Greater confidence about ways to help children learn More positive view of teachers Greater empowerment.

For Teachers Greater teaching effectiveness Higher expectations of students Increased ability to understand family views and cultures Greater appreciation of parent volunteers Improved morale

For the Community Greater strength Greater impact of services through comprehensive, integrated approach Increased access to services for families

Schools and Staff According to Maureen Lee (1999, p. 2), “the most difficult obstacle to parent involvement probably is staff resistance, whether overt or passive. Researchers say that, on average, schools take very few steps to encourage parent participation or to offer tips to parents about ways to enhance their children’s education.”

Parents Even though parents desire to know how to support their children’s education, they do not know how to reach across the barrier to get the help necessary to achieve their desires. Working parents have time constraints. The language barrier may be a problem for parents who do not speak English.

Lack the ability to read. Do not feel school is a priority. Overwhelmed with their own lives. Did not graduate from high school Struggled in school for various reasons that include transience, illness, or lack of familial importance for education

HOW DO WE GET PARENTS INVOLVED?

Consider Parents are a child’s first teachers. The American family has changed dramatically over the last 50 years. Schools aren’t always knowledgeable in how to encourage involvement. Parents don’t always recognize the importance of becoming involved or know where to begin.

10 Truths about Parent Involvement All parents have hopes and goals for their children. They differ in how they support their children’s efforts to achieve those goals. The home is one of several areas that simultaneously influence a child. The school must work with people in the other areas for the child’s benefit.

The parent is the central contributor to a child’s education. Schools can either ignore this fact or recognize the potential of the parent. Parent involvement must be a legitimate element of education. It deserves equal emphasis with elements such as program improvement and evaluation.

Parent involvement is a process, not a program of activities. It requires ongoing energy and effort. Parent involvement requires a vision, policy, and framework. A consensus of understanding is important. Parents’ interaction with their own children is the cornerstone of parent involvement. A program must recognize the value, diversity, and difficulty of this role. Most barriers to parent involvement are found within school practices. They are not found with parents.

Any parent can be “hard to reach.” Parents must be identified and approached individually; they are not defined by gender, ethnicity, family situation, education, or income. Successful parent involvement nurtures relationships and partnerships. It strengthens bonds between home and school, parent and teacher, parent and school, school and community.

Success! Schools that have been the most successful in involving families look beyond traditional definitions to a broader view that considers parents/families as full partners in the education of their children. These schools view children’s learning as a shared responsibility among everyone involved in the child’s education.

Get them early! Over the years, parent involvement changes –Early childhood Parents are involved in preschools, kindergarten, and grades 1-3 –Middle School and High School Lack of parent involvement Parents see it is as the school’s job to educate student

Build a Partnership with Parents! Promote family involvement. Make parents and teachers aware of the benefits of parent and family involvement for students, schools, and the parents themselves. Build positive attitudes and increase parents’ skills in helping their children succeed in school.

Invite! Plan programs to invite parents in –Back to school nights –Barbecues –Lunch with child –Family fun nights Dances Reading/science/math Skating Crafts

Educate! Parent support groups English as a Second Language Instruction PTA or PTOs How to help with homework

Communicate! Websites s Newsletters Phone calls Home visits Daily notes Journals

Involve! Opportunities to volunteer –School-wide –Classroom –At home

Make it positive! Research has shown that teachers communicate with parents most often when the child misbehaves. It is important to also let parents know what their child is doing well. This actually helps parents be more responsive to those areas where their child needs work.

Make it Practical! Give parents resources to understand the curriculum. Then be specific about where students are having trouble. Make specific suggestions about what parents can do to help their child overcome the difficulties they are having with schoolwork.

Make it Personal! Although there is not a lot of time to write personal messages for every student in your class, collaboration between parents and teachers is raised when parents read something personal about their own child. Try to include personalized messages to parents whenever possible.