THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN
SCHOOLS
Created by, Natalie D. Ruffin
Technology Teacher, P.S. 98
New York, NY
The Public Policy Analyst (PPA)
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Step 1: Define the Problem
Step 2: Gather the Evidence
Step 3: Identify the Causes
Step 4: Evaluate an Existing Policy
Step 5: Develop Solutions
Step 6: Select the Best Solution
• Feasibility vs. Effectiveness
THE PROBLEM:
•A LACK OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
IN THE EDUCATION PROCESS
•THE LACK OF PARENTAL
INVOLVEMENT IS THE BIGGEST AND
MOST CONCERNING PROBLEM
FACING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Step 1: Define the Problem
THE RESULTS OF THE PROBLEM:
• POOR STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
• STUDENT BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AND LOW
STUDENT MORALE
• A LACK OF POSITIVE AND RESPECTFUL SCHOOL
CULTURE
• STUDENT BULLYING, HARRASSMENT, AND
VIOLENCE
• A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT LACKS
DISCIPLINE AND SAFETY
http://www.publicagenda.org/press-releases/discipline-problems-unrulybehaviorseriously-threatening-student-achievement Step 1: Define the Problem
RESEARCH INDICATES THE FOLLOWING EFFECTS
WHEN THERE IS PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT:
• Better grades, test score progression, and
higher graduation rates
• Higher school attendance rates
• Increased motivation, better self-esteem
• Lower rates of suspension
• Decreased use of drugs and alcohol
• Good behavior and fewer instances of violent
behavior and gang activity
THE CAUSES
• Parents feel unwelcomed at the school
• There is a lack of knowledge and education, and parents
may not feel that education is important
• A shortage of time for working parents
• Parents may not know-how to “help out"
• The parents may be illiterate or unable to speak English
• Family problems such as: divorce, death, financial issues,
drugs, incarceration, immigration issues, etc.
• Single parents often do not have the time, money, or
knowledge to help children with homework or projects
http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/files/parinvol.html
Step 3: Identify the Causes
WHY IS PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
IMPORTANT?
• TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND
STUDENT BEHAVIOR
• TO CREATE A POSITIVE AND SUCCESSFUL
SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE
• TO TEACH STUDENTS TO BECOME LIFE-LONG
LEARNERS AND PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF
SOCIETY
• TO SHOW STUDENTS CARE, CONCERN, AND
SUPPORT
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT INCLUDES:
• SUPPORTING STUDENTS IN THE EDUCATIONAL
PROCESS
• SHOWING AN INTEREST IN THE STUDENTS’
LIFE, EDUCATION, AND ACTIVITIES
• COMMUNICATING WITH TEACHERS AND
STAFF
• LEADING BY EXAMPLE
• HOME LEARNING ACTIVITIES THAT ALLOW
PARENTS TO TEACH, BE MODELS, AND GUIDE
THEIR CHILDREN
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENTPARTICIPATE IN PARENT WORKSHOPS, TRAINING,
AND CLASSES
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT ATTEND SCHOOL PERFORMANCES
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT –
VOLUNTEER AND SUPPORT SCHOOL EVENTS AND
ACTIVITIES
PARENTAL SUPPORT
• ATTEND PARENT-TEACHER-STAFF MEETINGS
• COMMUNICATE
• BECOME AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT
Step 5: Develop Solutions
AUTHOR’S RESEARCH FINDINGSSURVEY BASED
• PARENTS SHOWED A MAJOR INTEREST IN
THEIR CHILDRENS’ BEHAVIOR, SELF-ESTEEM,
AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
• AT LEAST 50% OF THE PARENTS ARE WILLING
TO VOLUNTEER AT THE SCHOOL
• REGARDLESS OF ETHNICITY, SOCIO-ECONOMIC
STATUS, AND EDUCATION LEVEL, MOST
PARENTS WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO SUCCEED
http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Publiceducation/Parent-Involvement
THE BEST SOLUTIONS
• ORGANIZE, CREATE, AND ESTABLISH INITIATIVES TO
INCLUDE PARENTS AS PARTNERS
• OFFER WORKSHOPS, CLASSES, AND TRAINING FOR
PARENTS
• PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE PARENTAL
INVOLVEMENT (GIFT CARDS, METRO CARDS, ETC.)
• ESTABLISH ON-GOING COMMUNICATION AND
RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS
• ANNUAL SCHOOL-WIDE EVENT SUCH AS FAMILY NIGHT,
SEASONAL FESTIVALS, FUND-RAISERS,ETC.
• ESTABLISH A PARENT ADVISORY BOARD/PTA
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Step 6: Select the Best Solution
FOOD FOR THOUGHT!
REMEMBER –THE SUCCESS
OF AMERICA’S FUTURE IS
DEPENDENT ON
IMPROVING SCHOOLS
TODAY!
REFERENCES
• http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Final_P
arent_Involvement_Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pdf
• http://bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/files_uploaded/u
ploaded_resources/18617/Desforges.pdf