Copyright 2001 Federation of Parents & Friends Associations, Diocese of Maitland Newcastle 1 An Overview of Parent Participation Why Participation is important and the Various Means of Participating open to Parents

2 Family Involvement in Children’s Education Participation is the various ways parents become involved in their children’s education. Education is not so much about “teaching” children as “educating communities”. Whilst “Participation” is a hard concept to pin down, Joyce Epstein has described 6 ways parents can participate. These will be the basis for further discussion.

3 One Educationalist says “When Parents are involved in schools, children do better in school, and they go to better schools”.

4 The Involvement Jigsaw Epstein’s (1991) 6 types of Family Involvement are: Parenting Learning at Home Assist with Decision Making Linking the Community Commun icate with School Volunteer at School

5 We Participate by “Parenting” when we Ensure children get to school Provide lunch and materials needed Ensure children are dressed well Communicate regularly with teachers Inquire how our child is going Ask the child how they are going and listen with interest

6 We Participate by “Communication” when Read notes and return replies Attend parent- teacher meetings Prepare for school meetings We make ourselves aware of what’s Communicate regularly with teachers Inquire how our child is going Ask the child how they are going and listen with interest

7 We Participate by “Volunteering” when Help in the Canteen Work with our child to find the best time to do homework Provide a proper space at home for them to do homework Communicate regularly with teachers Inquire how our child is going Ask the child how they are going and listen with interest Review our child’s work regularly and encourage them Ask about and help with assignments

8 We Participate by “Supporting Learning at Home” when Work with our child to find the best time to do homework Provide a proper space at home for them to do homework Inquire how our child is going Ask the child how they are going and listen with interest Review our child’s work regularly and encourage them Ask about and help with assignments

9 We Participate by “Decision Making” when We reply to surveys sent out by the school Attend P&F meetings Participate in SEVDEV committees Inquire how our child is going Ask the child how they are going and listen with interest Review our child’s work regularly and encourage them Ask about and help with assignments

10 Introductory Message 1 Cor 1: 5-7 “I thank God that you have been enriched in so many ways, especially in your teachers…..the witness to Christ has indeed been strong amongst you”. 2 Cor 2:12-13 “There is one thing we are proud of….that we have always treated everybody, ….with reverence and sincerity”.

11 Why Involve Parents in Schools LEGAL - parents have a right by virtue of their legal responsibility as guardians. MORAL - parents have a responsibility by virtue of their Baptismal mission “you are their first teachers in the ways of faith, may you also be their best teachers”. OUTCOMES - various studies indicate better life outcomes for children where parents have a significant role in their education.

12 What is Participation? Participation, is widely accepted as benefiting children, schools and parents but has been difficult to pin down in terms of meaning. A very workable definition has been that of Joyce Epstein

13 What is Participation Participation is being involved and taking an active interest in your school and your child’s learning and development. BUT Parents have varying capacities to participate.

14 Participation Varies Parents not only participate in different ways but each parent may participate differently over the course of school life This is because Our availability changes due to home, work or personal matters. Participation is being involved and taking an active interest in your school and your child’s learning and development. BUT Parents have varying capacities to participate.

15 6 Types of Participation ParentingCommunicatingVolunteering Learning at Home Decision MakingCommunity Collaboration

16 Parenting

17 Communicating

18 Volunteering

19 Learning at Home

20 Decision Making

21 Community Collaboration

22 Strategic Partnerships Organisational survival is contingent upon fostering strategic partnerships. The educational vision of Catholic education describes strategic relationships between school, parish and home communities.

23 The (Adult) Home Community A specific parent (adult) vision is required This will imply good practices for developing and encouraging leadership. Access to information which significantly shapes the educational mission

24 Communication - Local Level to assist you in developing communication networks which parents can access.

25 Communication - Diocesan Level To provide timely information which allows participation To critique and develop effective communication networks which are flexible and responsive to local needs To provide feedback from local to diocesan level in relation to parental issues

26 Communication – State Level To pass on information of significance in a manner which is meaningful. To ensure the integrity and accuracy of information passed on to the local level

27 Closing Thought 2 Cor 1: “There are no hidden meanings in our letters, besides what you can read for yourselves and understand. And I hope that, although you do not know us very well yet, you will come to recognise….that you can be as proud of us as we are of you”