Parent Family and Community involvement in Education By: Mr. Jack Buck

Introduction The evidence is here, children benefit in a variety of ways from parent, family, and community involvement. It is the role of the teacher to encourage these bonds and seek help from the parents, family, and the community. Students are always with their parents family and community. That is why it is our job as educators to encourage our students to be learners everywhere.

The Research is Clear Parent, family, and community involvement in education correlates with higher academic performance for students in these ways: Earn higher grades Attend school more regularly Stay in school longer Enroll in higher level programs

Benefits of Involvement Parent-family-community involvement has become a strong indicator of school dropout. And note that strong school-family-community partnerships foster higher educational aspirations and more motivated students. The evidence holds true for students at both the elementary and secondary level, regardless of the parent’s education, family income, or background- and the research shows parent involvement affects minority students’ academic achievement across all races.

Community Involvement Benefit There is a positive impact of connecting community needs with student needs is well documented. In fact, community support of the educational process is considered one of the characteristics common to high performing schools.

Six ways you can get involved Here are six ways anyone can get involved described in the Epstein Framework of Involvement Parenting Communicating Volunteering Learning at home Decision making Collaborating with Community Help all families establish home environments to support children as students Design effective forms of school-to-home and home-to-school communication about school programs and children’s progress Recruit and organize parent help and support Provide information and ideas to families about how to help students at home with homework and other curriculum-related activities, decisions, and planning. Include parents in school decisions, developing parent leaders and representatives. Identify and integrate resources and services from the community to strengthen school programs, family practices, and student learning and development.

Benefits of Family and Parent Involvement The 6 types of involvement offer a broad range of school, family, and community activities that can engage all parties and help meet students needs. Successful school-parent-community partnerships are not stand-alone projects or add on programs but are well integrated with the school’s overall mission and goals. Parent-school-partnerships improve schools, strengthen families, build community support, and increase student achievement and success.

What Hinders Involvement? There are many types of barriers that discourage parent involvement in school: Parents busy schedule Work schedule Other children Cultural barriers Hispanic Culture Asian Culture Split household Lack transportation Bus students One car households

States Press for more Partnerships 17 states have directed all schools to implement parental involvement policies 7 states have obligated schools to develop policies linking parent-community partnerships to school improvement plans. In Delaware schools applying for school improvement grants must include parental involvement strategies.

Engage the Parents, Families, and Communities 1.Survey Educators and families 2. Develop family friend policies 3. Provide profession development on family and community engagement 4. Offer training to parents and community 5. Provide better school information 6.Ensure timely access to information 7. Hire and train a community liaison 8. Collaborate with higher education institutions 9. Develop an outreach strategy 10. Evaluate the effectiveness of involvement programs This is good because we need to determine the needs, interests, and ideas about partnering The more family friendly the better. Flexibility is good because it encourages diverse families to participate Help teacher learn how to more effectly engage other is school faculties Helps parents family and community develop better communication skills. Better information on school and school district policies need to be provided to more individuals. Use communication tools effectively This will help with community involvement. This will help learn more about the background Collaborate with higher education institutions to infuse parent, family, and community involvement in education into teacher and adminsistrator preparation programs An outreach strategy needs to be in place to inform families businesses and cthe community about school and family involvement oportunites, policies and programs. Need to always be evalutating as teachers in order to see what is working and what is not.

Educational Reforms Educations reforms efforts that focus solely on classrooms and schools are leaving out critical factors that are essential for long term success. What happens before and after school can be as important as what happens during the school day.

Future Effects Education is a core value of our democratic society, and it is in everyone’s self-interest to insure that all children receive a quality education. Our democracy, as well as our economy, depends on an educated citizenry and skilled workforce. I love the thought of being a teacher and being able to change the world by impacting the children in which I teach, but I know I cannot educate these children by myself. A support system is needed from both the family and the community. So join me and help me change these children’s lives.

References NEA.ORG EDUCATION.NH.GOV PRIDESURVEYS.COM