Getting Parents Involved...

Since parent involvement relates positively to student achievement, parents are encouraged to participate in their children's education in a variety of ways both at home and in school. At home they are asked to read with their child, provide a quiet place for homework, supervise assignments, monitor television and internet use, and promote school attendance.

Parents differ greatly regarding their preferences, capabilities and time available; therefore, schools must offer a variety of ways parents can become involved. Helping parents feel they are valuable partners in their children's education takes time and effort, but the results will be better home-school cooperation and increased student success.

Educators should not assume that if parents or guardians are uninvolved, they are disinterested.
There are many reasons why parents do not become active in school life:

• Too little time/work schedule/single-parenthood
• Lack of resources/transportation/child care
• Language barrier/cultural isolation
• Social isolation/low educational level
• Not knowing how to contribute
• Feeling overwhelmed, intimidated or unwelcome

These barriers need to be considered and overcome if schools are to promote parent participation

Information Source For This Posting: Leah Davies, M.Ed., http://www.kellybear.com/TeacherArticles/TeacherTip22.html