Partnering for Success – The Value of Parent Involvement in Education

Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision…It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” – Andrew Carnegie

The “parent involvement” engine is gaining steam around the country. School districts everywhere are busily crafting strategies to reach parents and encourage them to get more involved. It seems that every parent would want to be involved in his/her child’s education, so why the big push now? Increasingly, children are coming from households where both parents work or from homes with single parents who are stretched thin trying to parent, manage the household, and earn a living, without help. Still, other parents are truly unaware of the importance of their involvement. In all of these instances, parents may also perceive that they do not have a lot of time to spend managing their children’s education, so they simply entrust the schools with this vital responsibility. The truth is your child's school is merely a partner here and they need your help, desperately.

Studies have shown that successful home-school partnerships pay big dividends for children. The earlier parents get involved the better, but frankly, it’s never too late to "get on the bus". Student achievement and higher graduation rates top the list of benefits of increased parent involvement. Students also have a greater sense of confidence and comfort in the school environment when parents are actively engaged. With greater parent involvement in education, there far fewer instances misconduct and violence in schools. Parent involvement also conveys important family values to children about the importance of education, discipline, and the rewards of working hard. The knowledge that their parents have expectations about their performance in school also plays a major role in students’ achievement and social adjustment in school. When parents build a collaborative relationship with teachers and administrators, stress is reduced for everyone and valuable time and energy can be directly focused on helping students succeed. Finally, it should be noted that a 2002 study by the Michigan Department of Education found that the impact of parent involvement on student achievement was double that of socioeconomic status.

For many parents, it is not a question of if they should get involved, it is “HOW do I get involved in my child’s education?” Here are a few ideas to get you started:

--Create a supportive home environment. Be sure that your child has adequate space and quiet time for study. Make sure that the tools he needs are readily accessible, including pens/pencils, erasers, paper, rulers, maps, etc. Revise or expand the tool kit as his work dictates. Ensure your child gets adequate rest and nutrition. Provide home learning activities, such as reading, educational games, field trips, and other enlightening experiences.

-- Show an interest in your child’s school work and activities. Keep abreast of topics covered in homework and class work by reviewing assignment planners and checking the school website. Make yourself available to assist your child with homework, providing support while allowing her do the work. Engage your child in discussion about what she is studying. Where possible, share your relevant knowledge and experiences. Provide encouraging feedback about your child’s efforts and accomplishments -- be specific and sincere.

--Communicate with teachers and staff regularly. Don’t wait for parent-teacher conferences to reach out teachers. Respond to all school requests for information. Share the insights you have gleaned about your child’s strengths, challenges, interests, and work habits. All of this is valuable information that will help teachers shape their approach to instructing your child and relating to him, in general. Just as you take time to contact the school when things are not going well, let teachers and administrators know when they are doing a great job. They need encouragement, too.

-- Volunteer your time and talents inside and outside of the classroom. Participate in the parent-teacher organization. Join fundraising efforts or support special events. Lend a hand to your child’s teacher(s) in the classroom or on field trips. Offer to share your unique experiences/skills/knowledge to enhance the learning experience for your child and her classmates.

For additional ideas, check these books out at our e-store (http://astore.amazon.com/garparconllc-20):

-- Parent Talk! - The Art of Effective Communication With the School and Your Child by Cheli Cerra

-- Homework Talk! - The Art of Effective Communication about Your Child's Homework by Cheli Cerra

There is no absolute formula for “parent involvement done right”. Within each of the areas covered above there are essential tasks that should be done and you probably know what they are. Beyond that, plan ahead so that you can use your limited time and resources wisely in additional ways to make a difference in the educational life of your child.

~Carol~