Parental Educational Participation In Los Angeles 1.24.11 Veronica Terriquez, USC Sociology USC Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration UCLA Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access

Promoting Individual Student Academic Achievement GOALS OF PARENT ENGAGEMENT Promoting Individual Student Academic Achievement Supporting School Programs Holding Schools Accountable

TYPES OF INVOLVEMENT AND THEIR BENEFITS Parental Educational Involvement at Home Parental Involvement in School-Sponsored Activities Parental Engagement in School Governance & School Change Picture Source: http://www.cssspnql.com/eng/petite-enfance/involvement.htm

Parental socio-economic status often impacts school involvement PATTERNS OF SCHOOL PARTICIPATION Parental socio-economic status often impacts school involvement In general, parents of diverse racial backgrounds participate equally in their children’s schools After living in the USA 10 years, Latino immigrants are as involved as non-immigrant parents

PATTERNS OF SCHOOL PARTICIPATION Mothers are more involved in school activities than fathers, but fathers are not absent from the schooling process   73% 65% 33% 24% 32% 17% 22%

PATTERNS OF SCHOOL PARTICIPATION Parents in schools with majority free and reduced lunch students report higher levels of participation in school improvement efforts 33% Schools with Majority Free and Reduced Lunch Students 25% Schools with Minority Free and Reduced Lunch Students

PARENT ASPIRATIONS In LA County, 91% of public school parents expect their children to graduate from college. Data Source: LA Parent Engagement Study, 2010

BEST PRACTICS FOR PROMOTING PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT Offering parents trainings and workshops on topics such as: Enhancing children’s learning at home Navigating the school system Parent rights and responsibilities Reviewing and understanding student/school data English Language Learning Program and Testing Preparing for college School policy and governance

BEST PRACTICS FOR PROMOTING PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT Being mindful of parents’ needs when planning school activities for parents. Using various methods of outreach to mothers and fathers Providing parents information in their own language Offering child-care Scheduling activities at times convenient for parents Offering opportunities for parents to share their experiences and points of view

BEST PRACTICS FOR PROMOTING PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT Supporting administrators and other school personnel so that they can devote time and resources to parent engagement: Principal and/or other administrator visibility can boost parent participation Administrators can ensure that schools offer meaningful opportunities for parent engagement Teachers sometimes need guidance and support to effectively engage parents School/community liaisons can play an important role in parent outreach and community building Community organizations can serve as a resource