Parental Involvement In Education: Barriers, Benefits, Solutions

The phrase "parental involvement in education" is a very broad one, and deliberately so, because the range of options for parental inclusion in the learning of their children is huge.

The positive benefits for students of parental involvement can come from regular parent-teacher communication, parental help with student homework, talking about schools with the children, right through to expanding the home environment and experience to encourage learning -- reading to kids, making books available, taking trips to the library.

The NEA summarizes some of the benefits of parental involvement as follows:

When parents talk to their children about school, expect them to do well, make sure that out-of-school activities are constructive, and help them plan for college, their children perform better in school.

When schools engage families in ways that improve learning and support parent involvement at home and school, students make greater gains. When schools build partnerships with families that respond to parent concerns, honor their contributions, and share decision-making responsibilities, they are able to sustain connections that are aimed at improving student achievement.

 

Every party to the educational endeavor has both responsibilities and roles to play in bringing parents "into" the educational process, and into the learning of children- parents, teachers, local school administrators, school board officials, and even local community groups.

Below you'll find more resources on the barriers to involvement, and how all of these parties can move forward to increase levels of parental involvement in the learning of their children.

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Research shows that parental involvement in education is associated with higher achievement, higher likelihood of completing education and other positive outcomes.Parental involvement can happen in an almost infinite number of ways. Find valuable resources for both parents and teachers.

Handling Complaints From Parent: Tips, Advice, And Wise Thoughts : Parental Involvement

For Parents: How to Write a Parent Involvement Plan - by Susan Revermann
As a parent, you can stay involved with the education of your children by creating a concrete plan that includes activities you will be doing. An involvement plan will increase the chances your participation will be consistent and productive. (Views So Far 290 )

List of Factors That Inhibit Parental Involvement in Education - by Sara Ipatenco
Understanding why parents don't get involved in the education of their children can provide some clues about what can be done to increase participation. A good summary for teachers and school staff, but also for parents to reflect upon. (Views So Far 246 )

Planning for Parent Involvement - by Education World
Parental and community involvement in schools doesn't "just happen". It needs to be planned, and strategies acted upon. This article focuses on this process, and what schools can do. Includes sidebars describing various parent involvement levels, and what it means to be a supportive parent. new (Views So Far 192 )

Principals share parent involvement ideas - by Education World
Surveying of principals yields a number of innovative and standard ideas for getting parents more involved in schools in ways that are productive and inclusive. new (Views So Far 186 )

The Differences Between Parent Involvement and Parental Interference in Education - by Laura Agadoni,
A thorny subject with no easy answers about the line between involvement and interference, but here are some thoughts on how parent involvement can turn into interference. The key, really is for all parties to listen and remember that they all need to look to the welfare of the children. (Views So Far 265 )

The Five Types of Parental Involvement - by Joyce Epstein
Explains five types of parental school involvement, and includes a short checklist to evaluate what your school is doing currently in this area. new (Views So Far 161 )

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