STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE
INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES

THE PARENT INVOLVEMENT COMPONENT

Evidence shows a strong connection between parent and family involvement in schools and children's academic achievement, attendance, attitude, and continued education. Research also suggests a connection between the school climate and the extent to which parents and families are involved in their children's education. Schools can be proactive in their approach to building parent partnerships to increase learning.

Traditionally, in education, it has been said that parents are our first teachers. Parent involvement is an essential component to children realizing success in school. Although it may vary at the building level, parental support may manifest itself in several forms.

Encourage Parent Involvement

Create goals for parent involvement including:

• Creating a climate conducive to involving parents and families in their children's education;
• Making sure teachers and administrators understand the importance of a positive school climate in relation to family involvement;
• Providing staff development for teachers and administrators to foster a consistent approach for creating a positive school climate;
• Making family members feel welcomed in the school by letting them know they are valued and supported in their efforts to become more involved;
• Providing opportunities for parents to learn how to become more involved in their child's learning experiences; and
• Including parents in school governance and activities.

Make the school family-friendly by:

• Defining parent and family involvement for all stakeholders;
• Establishing a parent or family center within the school;
• Offering good, frequent, and user-friendly communication;
• Providing good after-school programs involving parents and community organizations;
• Organizing social activities for teachers and families;
• Providing parent education and family literacy programs; and
• Having programs to link families to needed health and social services.

Define what the school wants from parents:

• Seeing themselves as being the most important teacher in the life of their children;
• Helping their children value education by valuing it themselves;
• Teaching their children continuously, even during the school year;
• Laying the foundation for learning in the early years of their children's lives;
• Making sure the school teaches academic basics and sets high standards for all children;
• Teaching their children to respect the values and expectations of the classroom;
• Talking to teachers and other parents;
• Remembering they are the experts who best understands the needs of their children;
• Staying aware of what their children study and how well they learn what they study;
• Providing homework support;
• Encouraging children to persist when the work becomes difficult;
• Monitoring the amount of time their children watch television, play video games, spend on the computer, or other activities;
• Knowing the educational reforms available for their children; and
• Having high standards and expectations for their children's learning.

Reach out to parents and families of at-risk students by:

• Helping parents increase their knowledge of child development;
• Removing structural barriers to the school through home visits, having meetings in less formal and intimidating settings, and using written communication all parents can understand;
• Identifying and involving community groups interested in increasing family involvement;
• Facilitating parent-to-parent communication
• Making sure there is one person who knows every student well;
• Communicating regularly with parents in a variety of ways to keep them informed about their children's progress and school activities;
• Accommodating parents' work schedules and time constraints when creating parent-involvement opportunities;
• Learning culturally appropriate ways to communicate with diverse groups of parents without stereotyping;
• Teaching parents how to help their children with homework
• Encouraging parents to volunteer in the school;
• Providing opportunities for parents to learn with their children;
• Conducting community education classes in the school; and
• Writing a school policy statement delineating ways to ensure a positive school climate for family involvement.

"Some parents are reluctant to engage in their children's education and may never perceive schools as friendly, accepting places. They may feel confused about typical school procedures and intimidated by the school staff. Other parents may believe that school provides hope for their children's future but are uncertain how to become involved. Schools must make numerous and continuous attempts to reach reluctant families through a variety of means."

Despite the all-encompassing demands on parents, developing productive and sustainable partnerships within our school communities is of utmost importance for all of North Carolina's children.

"Nothing should be overlooked in fighting for better education. Be persistent and ornery; this will be good for the lethargic educational establishment and will aid the whole cause of public education." – Roy Wilkins, Civil Rights Leader/Educator