Parental Engagement is a key component to student success. However, many parents have obstacles, including work and family, that make it difficult to play a large part in their children’s education. Schools can create bridges for parents to more readily be a part of the process. First, create a parental participation plan. This plan includes many ways to connect parents with the school in areas like parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home, decision making and collaborating with the community.
Creating a successful parental participation plan takes time and is best created sequentially.
Administrators and teachers can use the following five steps to offer information about creating a productive learning environment.
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
Establish two-way communication channels for parents and teachers (such as email and phone). Once these communication channels are available, parents and teachers can correspond about students’ needs and successes.
PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Provide easy ways for parents to volunteer, including flexible scheduling or sending home things for interested parents to do and return. It’s easier for parents to become involved when teachers can find convenient ways for them to participate.
KEEP PARENTS ENGAGED
Deliver simple schedules so that parents are aware of curriculum related activities and homework goals. When parents can’t volunteer, send parents updates of what their children are doing and expected to do in class. This keeps even the busiest parents engaged with school happenings.
SHARE THE DECISION-MAKING
Ensure that parents are part of the decision-making process for districts. Send school board meeting announcements through regular communication channels. Encourage parents to be a part of the district by allowing them to help make the decisions that affect their children.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Help arrange community participation so that services and resources are available for students from businesses, groups, and civic organizations. The participation plan can go beyond just parents. The entire community can help students by getting involved, which also allows businesses, groups and civic organizations to give back to associates and customers’ children.
What steps has your school implemented to help increase parent participation in education?