In New York City schools, more parents are getting involved than ever before. The change is due to a variety of small changes.
Schools that foster parental involvement start with the belief that students learn best when families and schools are partners. This partnership is cultivated by effective communication that is two-way and continuous.
1. Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences
One of the best ways to get involved in your child’s education is by attending parent-teacher conferences. These are meetings between teachers and parents where they discuss student progress, problems, and goals for future learning. Parents should never feel afraid to ask questions or raise concerns. However, it’s also important to praise your child and show interest in his or her work. This will help foster a positive relationship between you and your child’s teacher.
Most schools have a set date for parent-teacher conferences each year, but some teachers are available to meet with parents by appointment at other times. Many of these extra meetings take place during the day, so they may not be convenient for busy parents.
If you’re unable to attend a parent-teacher conference, write a note to the teacher and request a phone or in-person meeting. Be sure to give the teacher enough time to respond. Make sure to thank the teacher for their time and effort.
Many parents are uncomfortable with the school system, but they can learn a variety of ways to become involved in their children’s education. Some schools offer workshops, while others provide special activities, such as family reading nights. These programs have been shown to improve children’s language and reading skills from preschool through high school (Sheldon & Epstein, 2005).
Some parents may have negative or defensive reactions to their children’s performance at the teacher-parent conference. If this occurs, a teacher should not force the meeting to continue and should recommend that they meet another time or find a different way to communicate with them about their child’s performance. Schools that value parental involvement strive to create an environment where both parents and teachers can feel comfortable discussing difficult issues in a respectful manner.
2. Participate in School Committees
Involvement in school committees gives parents a chance to meet with other people who care about the school. Meetings are often held at least four times a year. Some schools have sub-committees devoted to particular projects such as a building committee. Attend a few meetings to see how they work and what opportunities exist.
Most parents are able to communicate through email, but if you don’t have access to the Internet or do not feel comfortable using it, ask your school for another method of communication. For example, the school may have a dedicated parent blog or a Facebook page, and the principal might make it easy to sign up for its weekly update.
If you have a particular skill or talent, ask if you can help with certain school activities. For example, a school might need someone to design posters or flyers for events and meetings, write articles for its website or newsletter, or help with translation at parent-teacher conferences. Some schools use a volunteer matching system to connect parents with their interests and talents. Others give volunteers recognition through events, gift certificates and phone trees.
Many schools also provide parents with workshops and other programs to teach them about classroom methods and educational theory. These might help them understand what their children are learning and how to help them at home. They can also give them a better understanding of the professional side of schooling and help them connect with community resources and local businesses.
In addition, schools can host social events to get parents to know each other and build a sense of community. For example, a school might host a movie night, game night or dance, and encourage parents to bring their children. This is a great way to get more involved and make new friends.
3. Volunteer at the School
Parents who want to become more involved in their child’s education can volunteer their time and skills at school. This can help teachers and staff to determine areas where they need the most assistance. It also enables parents to see their children in a school environment and how they interact with other students. Many schools and daycares require volunteers to undergo criminal background checks if they will be working directly with kids.
Parents can help with classroom activities, field trips, class fundraisers and lessons where a extra set of hands is needed. However, teachers need to make sure they clearly communicate the tasks that they are requesting assistance with, and provide clear instructions. Otherwise, parents may arrive at school only to find that they are not needed.
To attract parent volunteers, schools should make sure to offer a variety of opportunities that will appeal to different interests and skill sets. For example, a school might host a presentation on ocean racing by a parent who is a professional racer and World Cup champion or offer sessions in yoga, Pilates and mindfulness to promote healthy lifestyles. Substantive parental involvement like this not only benefits the students but it also helps to foster a sense of community and support between parents, teachers, and students.
Managing parent volunteers can be time consuming and difficult, so it’s important for schools to provide the tools that are necessary to manage them effectively. It’s also important to have a clear process for requesting and signing up volunteer assistance. One option is to create an online sign up that makes it easy for parents to indicate what their preferences are. Communicating with parents regularly is crucial as well. When a task is assigned, send reminders via email or text message and include the task in school newsletters or social media feeds to keep parents up to date on what their role is.
4. Participate in Extracurricular Activities
Increasingly, schools are connecting with parents and their children in ways that make it easier for families to participate. For example, they may provide transportation to school events or meals for those with busy schedules. They may also offer homework help or support for language and cultural barriers that might otherwise stand in the way of participation. They may even encourage conversations between teachers and students, or between parents and their children, at home or on the drive to school.
The benefits of parent involvement are clear: Research shows that children whose parents stay involved in their education have better attendance and behavior, are more likely to graduate from high school, and to do well in college. But for many parents, this kind of involvement isn’t feasible given their demanding work schedules or their children’s extracurricular activities.
It may be especially difficult for parents of teenagers to get involved in their school because those adolescents are increasingly pursuing their own interests outside of class. However, research has shown that if students’ families encourage their participation in extracurricular activities, they are more likely to take up those activities.
Attending parent-teacher conferences and attending parent organization meetings is a great place to begin. If you can’t attend in person, ask for the minutes of those meetings to be sent to you so you can keep up with what is happening at your child’s school.
5. Attend Parent-Teacher Meetings
More city parents are taking part in their children’s schooling, new data show. Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina has made family engagement a top priority, adding more time for conferences and revamping the way the division’s parent coordinators get the word out. But the results are mixed.
Many teachers say they can’t take more than 20 parents in the few hours set aside for conferences each year. Others rely on a steady stream of emails and class-dojo messages to keep parents up to date.
Still, most parents consider meetings important for keeping them informed of their child’s academic progress. “It gives me a snapshot of who my children are hanging out with, and it’s the only time I really hear them talk about their schoolwork,” said one mother.
The meetings take place four times a year: in September, November, March, and May. Your children will bring home notices of the exact dates. You can also schedule one-on-one meetings with your child’s teachers any time.
When you attend, it’s helpful to be prepared with questions and a list of the things that matter most to you. And be sure to make an effort to start and end on time, because other families have the same scheduled appointments.
The most effective approach is to emphasize the positive aspects of your child’s performance and ask for ideas on how you can support their learning at home. If there are any problems, make a clear plan to address them. Finally, follow up with your child’s teacher to ensure that any agreements are being implemented. And don’t forget to thank them for their time and efforts. Your child will appreciate the gesture.
