According to education experts, and scholars, parental involvement in a child’s education can make a significant difference in a child’s academic achievement. Additionally, a vast majority of instructors believe that students have the potential of performing better academically if their parents were more involved in their studies (Government, 2017). Benefits of parental involvement in education are discussed in this paper.
Parents can get more involved in their children's education by regularly attending PTA meetings, education days and provide the much-needed emotional support to their children. Available data reveal that attending school functions is the principal form of parent participation closely followed by fundraiser activities. While it is true that instructors do not know the aspirations that guardians and parents have for their children, education experts believe that close relationship between teachers and parents can help a child realize his or her dreams.
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A vast majority of parents have little understanding of education programs in their children's schools and what is expected of them by the instructors. Indeed, active parent or guardian involvement is achieved when a strong partnership exists between learning institutions and families (Holloway, 2017). The partnership should be solely based on academics and a child's social development.
The research aimed to clarify several issues concerning parent participation in education and ways of increasing involvement. Respondents were asked the following during the study:
At what grade are parents more involved in their children’s education? Many of the participants interviewed said they had been more involved in their children’s education during their primary years than at any other time (Oslem, 2017). They attended more events and volunteered to take part in school activities during that period. More than 90% of the respondents attended meetings with their children's teachers while in pre-school institutions through sixth grade. Additionally, 82% of parents of middle school students admitted to being involved in their children’s education. Among kindergarten, children, 56% of the parents served in school committees whereas only 28% of students in the 9th grade and 32% of the students in the 6th grade (Encyclopedia.com, 2016).
Is there a connection between a parent’s level of education and his/her involvement in a child’s education? Majority of the respondents believed that highly educated parents were more likely to participate in their children's education. 83% of the parents with bachelor’s degree attended school functions compared to 43% of parents who had less than high school education (Association, 2015). Furthermore, highly educated parents expressed more willingness to serve in school committees compared to less educated parents.
The difference in Economic status. Parents who earn $50000 and above are more likely to be involved in school activities than those who earn less than $20000 annually (Lily Eskelsen Garcia, 2014). Well, earning parents were more likely to be involved than parents of students living below poverty standards on all measures of involvement.
Is there a connection between race and level of parent participation in school?
Hispanic and black American parents admitted that they have failed to attend most of their children’s school meetings (Hinkle, 2017). They had less idea on what the teachers expect of them and the school activities. White parents were more likely to take part in school functions and volunteer their time than both Hispanic and black American parents (Schools, 2017) (parents, 2017). Lastly, a black American parent attended school meetings than Hispanic parents.
Participants
For a survey to produce consistent and results, the target population should be relevant to the purpose of the study (ChildTrends, 2013). Parents and teachers were sent emails and letters requesting them to take part in the study. 200 parents and 50 teachers participated in the study. 90 of the participants were white parents, 50 Hispanic parents, and 60 black American parents. 30 students were separately interviewed on how their parent's involvement impacted on their studies and social development.
Data Collection Methods
Participants were subjected to meetings that lasted 20 minutes each. Interviews were flexible and produced more detailed results. Participants were also issued with questionnaires containing multiple answers. Each respondent returned the survey after two days. Respondents were picked randomly to guarantee equal representation of all units of the population.
Findings
The research established that students with more involved parents not only attended school regularly but also earned higher grades and behaved well at school. Schools that engage families in ways improving learning and support parent improvement were found to perform than schools that do not encourage parent participation. Schools that collaborated with families by responding to parents’ concerns and involved them in decision making realized greater success. The most common means communication between parents and teachers was found to be written letters and parent’s evenings. Only 60% of parents claimed to have had informal meetings with teachers while 55% of the parents consulted instructors regularly on their child’s progress.
Recommendations
Most parents do not take part in their children's education due to busy schedules and lack of prior information from the school administration. School administrators should set up better means of conveying information to parents. This can be achieved by creating a website where parents can interact with teachers and air their concerns. School meetings should make mandatory, and relatives who do not comply should be compelled to do so or risk their children being deregistered from the school.
Currently, a small percentage feels fully involved in their children’s education. For children to develop into wholesome individuals, it is necessary that they get a quality education. Parents should, therefore, work with teachers to help their children succeed academically.
References
Association, N. E. (2015). Spotlight on Parental Involvement in Education. National Educational Association , 66-99.
ChildTrends. (2013). Parental Involvement in Schools. ChildTrends , 55-88.
Encyclopedia.com. (2016). PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION. Encyclopedia.com , 44-99.
The government, V. S. (2017). Parent Participation at School. Victoria State Government , 55-88.
Hinkle, L. (2017). The Importance of Parent Involvement in Education. LIVESTRONG.COM , 55-99.
Holloway, C. (2017). Parental Participation in Public Schools: An Unenforced Opportunity and Dilemma. Yale University , 22-44.
Lily Eskelsen Garcia, O. T. (2014). The Enduring Importance of Parental Involvement. USAToday , 77-145.
Oslem, G. (2017). Parent Involvement: What Research Has to Say. Education.com , 88-123.
Parents, P. (2017). The Role of Parents. Pbs Parents , 66-99.
Schools, E. C. (2017). Why is Parental Involvement Important? Enterprise City Schools , 55-77.
