Research on Parent Involvement

Effects of Family and Parent Engagement School attendance increases Better attitudes about school Discipline problems decrease Children go on to higher education

Good Types of Involvement Programs Emphasize academics Monitor involvement at home

How to Involve Parents Relationships are important: Build trust and

respect

Benefits of Involving Parents

Educating children is a tough job – no one entity

can do it alone! More can be accomplished as a team Both parents and teachers experience “burnout”

when all pressures are placed on them Establish an equal partnership so everyone

participates to help the child learn

Tension between Parents and Teachers

Parents are required to leave their child with a stranger all day

Schools must work to overcome barriers Difference of cultural backgrounds Parents who do not speak English

Schools can take the first step to link parents into education

School Resistance to Parent Involvement

Teachers are unsure of how to involve parents Few opportunities to learn how to communicate

with parents Isolationist view

Classrooms are private - only the teacher and students belong inside

May need encouragement to invite parents in

More training must be provided on parent/teacher communication

Avoiding Adversarial Relationships

Book: Including Every Parent, Patrick O’Hearn Elementary School

Set small goals Improvement takes time and effort

Leadership of principal is key ‘Walk the walk’ of collaboration, communication,

welcoming Show willingness to communicate

Employ a welcoming philosophy Examine school attitudes about parents Offer training for parents showing them how to help

their children academically

Implications of Laws

No Child Left Behind and Put Reading First Initiative Reading First was established as part of NCLB

Requires parent access to informationOnly available in certain schools, but serves as

model for all

Effective administrators have always involved parents; now schools are accountable for parent involvement Tied to funding Adds level of accountability Ensures that parents in failing schools have access to

information and services Encourages rich partnership between parents and

schools

Impact of Parent Involvement on Reading

Read Boston Initiative Parents sign reading contract and read to kids

3-4 times per week Result: gains in reading scores

Literacy can be the key to involvement Parents want to know how to help

Parent Involvement Under NCLB

Title I Schools must: Inform parents of services, programs and

progress Offer school choice program

Policy emphasizes parental rights and responsibilities Allows parents to be better informed Encourages advocacy

Building Motivation for Partnerships

As a teacher/administrator Share success stories with colleagues

Models, examples from other schools can prompt discussion

Teachers and principals with vision can bring about change!

As a parent Research your child’s problem Be informed Engage in positive dialogue with school faculty

Video

Thomas Johnson School, Baltimore, MD

Children’s Literacy Initiative Guidance and leadership from principal Expected parent involvement

Early Literacy program requires involvement Evident when parents are/are not involved

Parents of absentees are called/visited each morning

Message to parents: School matters!

Overcoming Excuses

Expect involvement both from parents and schools Reflect on practices at home and school

Identify the factors that impact reading achievement (positively and negatively)

Shared mission: Make reading a priority in school and at home Set clear goals, develop a plan Analyze data Create incentives for involvement

Partnership with public library – rewards kids for visiting

Self knowledge and examination of current system is crucial for success

Involving Parents and the Community

Call upon existing strengths within the community Use data to influence involvement

Student surveys about reading habits at home

Advice for principals: Examine school culture Identify areas of strength and weakness Capitalize on strengths and work to reduce

barriers to reading proficiency

Children are a community’s greatest resource

Teachers

Find what works through research and experience Examine practice within and across grade

levels Standardize practices

What works? What is based in research? Get the rest out of the way

Encourage collaboration Create opportunities for discussion

Set aside time during the work day to allow the staff to discuss methods and coordinate vision

Encouraging Parent Involvement

Involve community organizations Go where the parents are: church, grocery store,

local businesses, etc.

Establish ‘family room’ Supply books Talk to parents Offer workshops

Allow classroom observation

Share strategies both parents and teachers have found Encourage communication of ideas Makes parents feel involved and gives teachers

valuable information

Making it Work in Your School

Importance of building relationships Hands-on approach effective in building trust Home visits, direct contact with families

Reach out to parents Schools can be intimidating for parents Schools should take the first step in

communication Welcome parent ideas

Acknowledge parents’ unique knowledge about their child

View as whole-school approach, not just an add-on

Parent Views

Make sure parents are welcome in educational realm, not just in school building Classroom observation True participation in learning

Many parents want to do more than help at fundraisers

Provide guidance for helping struggling readers Be a model for parents Show parents techniques to use at home

Invite parents to be engaged in content

Video

Mira’s Family, San Jose, CA

Foundation for reading success begins early Everyday opportunities to learn concepts of print:

Grocery Stores Shopping Lists Letter magnets at home

Daily reading time Child learns how books are used, how reading

works Message to child: Reading is a pleasure!

Ideas for Parents of Struggling Readers

Look to schools first Talk with classroom teachers

Become informed on the reading process Understand your role

Three aspects: coach, monitor, and advocateSet TV limits at homeProvide good books

Follow child’s interests Encourage reading throughout adolescence

Understanding the Parent Perspective

Parents need encouragement to become partners Trained teachers and collaborative school

community can help bring parents in Parents feel up against a system

May not understand it; feel that it doesn’t always work in their child’s best interest

Need to learn the system and understand how to make it work for their child

Engage parents in a dialogue Provide models for the home/school relationship

Parents can serve as models for other parents

Tips for Parents

Know about your child, how things are going at school

Ask for specific information Reading level, progress, screening information Explanation of data Ways you can help Available services

Role of Parent in Early Intervention

Contact the teacher right away to discuss problems Notice signs of struggles at home

Child avoids reading aloud Child struggles to recognize common words

Provide a reading environment at home Be a coach as the child learns how to read

Model at school

Often, parents of struggling readers had problems in school themselves Should be encouraged to take an active, positive

role

Bringing Parents In

Give parents power Involve them as a positive change agent

Organizations for parents Parent Teacher Association Institute for Responsive Education Parents for Public Schools Southwest Educational Development Laboratory

Parent liaison Contact point between families and school Set up workshops, create opportunities for

parent involvement Can be less intimidating for other parents

Getting Information to Parents

Pass along information to parents from national organizations Tools, tips, resources

Find small instructional activities that kids can practice at home Speeds progress in school Offers parents area of engagement that is

purposeful and that matters Share with parents:

Child’s current reading level Child’s expected reading level Materials that parent can use at home to

reinforce class work

Video

Neile’s Family, Raleigh, NC

Phonemic Awareness Knowledge that words are made of individual

sounds

Parent involvement Word games Rhyming games Reading with children

Helping Struggling Readers

Research is providing more information on how to help kids

Communicate research-based methods to teachers through professional development

Shift from seeing parent involvement as an add-on to a whole-school improvement strategy

Make parents aware of their important role in literacy development

Involving Experienced Teachers

Provide professional development Give everyone in the school responsibility to

communicate with parents Teachers, aides, counselors, administrators,

nurses Administrator should set expectation, model

strategies Ease tension, anxiety about parent relationships Provide information on how to conduct

conferences

Teachers want a positive relationship with parents!

Overcoming Resistance to Change

Talking to Teachers

Use data to discuss academic progress Keeps focus on child improvement Reduces sense of personal attack, blame

Use partnership language to build trust Express willingness to help Ask for strategies to use at home

Tips for Parents

Helping a Struggling Reader

Advocate for use of a formal reading program Programs are research-based Help teachers address all areas of reading

development Advocate for early literacy screening

Meanwhile… Coach child at home, but advocate for change

Parents should supplement, but not replace, school curriculum

Become involved in the parent council at school Organize with other parents to address concerns

without a formal reading program

Benefits of Student-Led Conferences

Portfolio works are selected by the student Student reflects and communicates ideas Parents and teachers join in discussion with

student

Leads to self- advocacy later in life for the child Articulation of goals Understanding of progress

Involving Busy Parents

Information does not have to stay at school Hold events at community locations: grocery

store, nail shop Go where the parents are!

Make it easy for parents to attend events Provide transportation, food

Encourage parents to make school a priority

Difficulty Communicating with a Teacher

Remain professional Your child is watching the interaction and

could suffer if it is conducted poorly Contact a school guidance counselor to mediate

Improve relationship with the teacher Do not give up or go over the teacher’s head

If necessary, involve principal

Working with Non-Reading/Non-English Speaking Parents

Have child read to parents for practice Involve extended family

Grandparents, siblings Use whatever reading material is in the home

Comic books, cookbooks Provide audio-taped stories for child Tell stories to children

You do not have to be a reader to encourage literacy

Encourage school to provide GED/ESL classes for parents

Balancing Structured Curriculum and Parent Concerns

Be creative Find ways to integrate literature across

content areas Encourage reading at home

Use the school library for independent reading books

Encourage parents to take their children to public libraries for reading at home

Working with Demanding Parents

Channel parent energy Use parents as a resource for the school

Ask parents questions, make them partners Simply asking a parent questions about their

child can make them feel useful and involved Involve parents in a positive role in the school

Encourage them to serve on the parent council

Turn demanding parents into advocates for the school!

Final Thoughts

Parents are powerful Village concept – engage community and

families Parent and schools working together can

lighten the burden and benefit students

Parents can demonstrate the value of literacy without being a reading teacher themselves

Parents: Advocate for early literacy screening to avoid reading problems later!

Thanks for watching!

For more information,

visit www.ReadingRockets.org!