Parental Involment

Communication is the key. A major reason for lack of parental involvement is lack of clear, straightforward and helpful information. Schools and teachers need to make contact with parents--in person, on the phone, through e-mail and websites, through letters and notes sent home, through newsletters. Teachers need to talk to parents in a basic manner without adding "educational jargon" and ensure parents have regular access to readable information about their childrens school activities--both in and out of the classroom.

Parents want to know what their children are learning, what school activities they are involved in, how they as parents can specifically be involved with their childrens education and school activities, how they can approach teachers and how they can help their children at home.


Providing this information regularly, consistently and in various formats will help bridge the gap between schools lacking parental involvement and parents not being involved in the schools.


Accommodation and inclusion is another strategy for getting parents involved in school activities. Parents need to know that schools are sensitive to their needs, lifestyles and demands. Teachers should try and work around parents work schedules for school activities, meetings and conferences, and also work around cultural or language barriers. Schools should make it easy, too, by letting parents know that involvement doesnt have to be an all-consuming, complicated process.

Another way to be accommodating is to invite parents to act as partners in the school decision-making process. They should regularly ask for parents concerns and suggestions, and then deal with them accordingly. If schools want parents to come to school meetings, they could first of all provide a survey asking what dates and times are the most suitable, provide child care for younger siblings, and a "parental platform" during the meeting where parents are given the opportunity to speak, make... [continues]

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