Principal of LEPL Vani #2 Public school Teona Adeishvili Engaging parents in enhancing students’ academic achievements and motivation Principal of LEPL Vani #2 Public school Teona Adeishvili

Education and upbringing are multifaceted and complex process, the success of which is determined by collaboration of family, school and child Teacher’s, school and environment’s roles are extremely important in the process of educating a child; however, parent’s correct choice and sharing responsibility by them determine child’s success.

problem... Parents’ passive role in the instructional process Lack of parents’ permanent support Parents’ assessments: “Teachers hate my child!, “I will teach teachers a good lesson!”, “Teachers can not teach us anything!”, etc. Parents are interested in their children’s points only and not in assessment criteria.

What benefit school may have from parents’ involvement? benefit for school: More support from parents Enhanced school image Pupils’ increased motivation as parents participate in school events Teaching and learning processes become fun and engaging

Measures for increasing parents’ involvement Creating teacher initiative group: Group supervisor Subject department representative . Agreement on all the benefits which parents’ engagement may bring to school Surveying departments for eliciting reasons of parents’ indifference and intolerance towards pupils with SEN

Revealed reasons Parents are busy Parents have low awareness how much beneficial their engagement may for their children Parents do not see their function at school Parents are not sufficiently aware of school life and inclusive education Pupils have no parents and children grow up with grandparents

Analysis indicated that..... Primary grade pupils’ parents demonstrated average level of awareness Basic stage pupils’ parents were very much insufficiently informed Partners, classmates and friends know a pupil better than a parents does

Further steps..... We planned informational meetings with parents concerning the following issues: Pupils’ strong sides Benefits they can bring to their children and school Stigma and being different

Activities..... School conference “No to Stigma” Seminar “How to assist children in learning physics and chemistry?” “Comment notebook” Sending positive massages

Activities..... Parents and pupils make decorations together, they arrange classroom corners. Parents participate in planning events, assume and play various roles in their implementation. “Parents’ week” School Facebook page Parents’ club

Events took place during 5 months Events took place during 5 months. Results of repeated surveys- significant enhancement of parents’ motivation.

Benefits.... Improved school image Growth of pupil number Enhanced pupil motivation Improved lesson attendance Parents’ altered attitude towards pupils with SEN Boosted motivation among pupils- “Going to school is not just routine” In Semester 1 pupils’ academic achievements have increased: from 7 points to 8 points; from 8 points up to 9 points. In Semester 2, 5 points rose up to 6 and 7.

Thanks for attention!