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The Importance of Parental Involvement

© Deborah Jeter

"Parents in economically disadvantaged families can face particular difficulties when attempting to participate in their children's education. As an example, some parents, especially those with low-wage jobs, face losing their jobs if they take time off work to attend meetings and functions. In addition, parents who are not well educated themselves may find it difficult to help their children with homework. Helping low-literate adults improve their basic skills has a direct and measurable impact on children's education and on the quality of their lives. Furthermore, children of parents who need and participate in literacy programs improve their grades, test scores, and reading skills. They are also less likely to drop out of school.

According to U.S. Department of Education research findings, "Children's success in reading comprehension is directly related to the availability of reading materials in the home. Children need positive encouragement in the form of praise, expressed interest, and rewarded effort." Abstracted from the Internet on March 20, 2000; http://www.cppp.org/kidscount/education/...

Children respond positively when their parents set high but realistic standards for achievement. Parents' expectations high enough to give the child something to reach for, yet the goals should be attainable so discouragement does not prevail. Parent involvement increases when the administration and staff of a school communicate a genuine desire to involve parents by considering their needs. When schools accommodate parents' work schedules by arranging meetings at times when parents can be available, the cooperation is more successful. Finding ways to include both mother and father in the education of children is important.

Program Description, History, and Necessity:

Parental involvement projects play an important part in developing better communication between the school and the home. "Every research study on parent involvement combined, over the past twenty years, show the same results. Parents involved in their child's education increases student achievement and self-esteem. Schools where children are failing, improve dramatically when parents are called in to help." Henderson, Anne T. (1995), "The Evidence Continues to Grow: Parent Involvement Improves Student Achievement."

Many times parents aren't certain how to play a more active role in their child's education. Teachers are the crucial link in developing the communication between school and parents.

Over the past several years, the Jane Long Elementary staff has used various activities for involving parents at school. Realizing that parents involved in the education of their children provide a stronger base for student success; the campus-based council explored more avenues to strengthen this potential growth area.

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