Parent Engagement

This article was published in the recent newsletter of the Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario. GB.

Parent Engagement

by Debbie Pushor
University of Saskatchewan

A wealth of research concludes that students are more likely to be successful when their parents are engaged in their education. When parents are truly engaged, children:

• attend school more regularly;
• are better behaved;
• have better academic outcomes;
• have a greater sense of how to be successful in school; and
• are more likely to graduate and go on to postsecondary education.

In light of this evidence, parents may try to enhance the way they support their childrens' learning.

What can parents do that works?

It seems it is not particular parent actions, such as attending school functions, establishing household rules, or checking student homework, that make the difference. Instead, it is more subtle aspects of parent engagement that prove to be the most important - such as creating an atmosphere in the home in which education is valued, and in which high expectations and levels of support are established. When parent engagement is linked to teaching and learning it contributes to enhanced student results. The benefits are greater when the parent is not expected to act as another teacher.

What might this mean for me as your child's teacher?

1. I can encourage parents to be engaged in their children’s learning on their own terms and in ways that fit their place in their children’s lives - playing games, cooking together, enrolling their children in language, cultural, or extra-curricular activities, or family outings.
2. I can learn from parents and families about their lives out of school, in order to have realistic and practical expectations for home and school interaction.
   
3. Work with parents to analyze together student achievement results and jointly establish school priorities and growth plans.

Some interesting thoughts, which I support.
GB