EDU 639 Professor Douglas Goss August 20, 2014

I believe parent involvement shows the students that their parents are concerned about them and their education. I believe when the student parents and teachers work together and are working together it will give the student a smooth transition for learning.

 Hayes (2012) discusses how parent involvement can improve achievement, behavior, positive attitude and reduce absenteeism. Parent involvement is important to the parent and the child. Parent involvement is the success to their child’s education.

Henderson and Mapp (2002) examined 81 parent-involvement programs used in K-12 schools, they determined that family involvement increases academic achievement of students when it is directly connected to academic learning. Specifically, they identified building respectful relationships with families, engaging families in supporting their children’s learning at home, and addressing cultural differences as critical factors.

I believe it essential for our schools to be involved in the community in which the school is located. It is great to see the purpose of some of the business in the community. Students can learn the purpose of a bank, farmers market, grocery store, etc.

 Wardle (2013) states “Families and school staff collaborate with community members to connect students, families, and staff to expanded learning opportunities, community service, and civil participation” (p. 348). This allows the school and the community to collaborate with each other.

 Hayes, D. (2012). Parental Involvement and achievement outcomes in African American Adolescents. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 43 (4),  Henderson, A., & Mapp, K. (2002). A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family and community connections on student achievement. Austin, TX: Southwest Educational Department Laboratory

 Wardle, F. (2013). Human Relationships and Learning in the Multicultural Environment. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.