DEVELOPING MEANINGFUL PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT:
FATHERS COULD BE THE MISSING PIECE!
FY12 Title I Professional Development Training on Family Involvement
February 1, 2012
Ernesto D. Lontoc
Grant Compliance Specialist
Department of Federal and State Programs
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It’s the law!
• The NCLB legislation requires that local
educational agencies are to make sure that
parents are fully involved so that “programs,
activities, and procedures shall be planned, and
implemented with meaningful consultation with
parents of participating children.” (ESEA, Section
1118(a)(1)
• Parent involvement is mentioned over 300 times
in the law!
What is parental involvement?
• Parental involvement is the participation of
parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful
communication as it pertains to academic learning
and other school activities. This includes ensuring
that:
 Parents play an integral role in assisting their child’s
learning
 Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their
child’s education at school.
 Parents are full partners in their child’s education and are
included, as appropriate, working in decision making and on
advisory committees to assist the education of their child.
Why parent involvement?
• TEACHERS SAY…
– 67% of teachers surveyed (Public Agenda, 2003) believed
that their students would perform better in school if their
parents were more involved in their child’s education
• PARENTS SAY…
– 72% of parents say children of uninvolved parents
sometimes “fall through the cracks” in schools (Johnson &
Duffett, 2003)
• RESEARCHERS SAY…
– University of New Hampshire found that schools would
need to increase per-pupil spending by more than $1,000
in order to achieve the same results that are gained with
strong parental engagement (Conway, 2008)
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SCHOOL BOARD’S STRATEGIC PLAN
 Offer a world-class education with a Student-First
Focus
 Launch a Family Matters Initiative
 Ensure a Qualified and Well-Trained Workforce
throughout the school district
 Implement an Efficiency and Accountability
agenda
 Engage in an effective Communications
Campaign
What is the bottom line?
• It is all about students’ achievement!
• It is all about equity- all children have the
opportunity for a high quality education, with high
standards and high quality teachers.
Research says…..
• When families are engaged, students achieve
more, regardless of socioeconomic status,
ethnic/racial background, or the parents'
education level. (Antunez, 2000)
Research says…..
• When families are engaged in their child’s
schooling, the child will exhibit more positive
attitudes and behavior. (Epstein, 2001)
• ‘
Research says…..
• Students whose families are engaged in their lives
have higher graduation rates and greater
enrollment rates in postsecondary education.
(Henderson and Mapp, 2002)
How do fathers compare with mothers
in their level of involvement in schools?
• In two-parent families, the proportion of children
with highly involved fathers is about half of the
proportion with highly involved mothers, 27
percent and 56 percent, respectively.
• In two-parent families, mothers generally assume
primary responsibility for involvement in children’s
schools.
Fathers make a difference too!
 Research shows that the more involved dads are,
the better the child does in school.
• Children learn more.
• Perform better in school.
• Exhibit healthier behavior.
• Fewer behavioral problems.
• Higher level of sociability.
• Boosts children's confidence.
• Children enjoy school more.
(www.three4me.com/dadinvolvement.htm)
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The impact of fathers on cognitive
ability and educational achievement
Infancy- Fathers who are involved, nurturing and
playful with their infants have children with higher IQ’s.
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The impact of fathers on cognitive
ability and educational achievement
Toddler- Toddlers with involved fathers go on to start
school with higher levels of academic readiness.
The impact of fathers on cognitive
ability and educational achievement
Adolescent- Active and nurturing style of fathers are
associated with high verbal skills, intellectual functioning and
academic achievement; highly involved fathers had children
who were 43 percent more likely than other children to earn
most A’s and 33 percent less likely than other children to
repeat a grade.
When planning for parent
involvement….
 Identify potential barriers and proactively work
together to overcome them.
lack of time, economic constraints, lack of
transportation, lack of childcare, language,
cultural and religious, conflicting schedules etc.
 Always remember to put yourself in the parents’
shoes!
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Tips on getting fathers involved
 Create volunteer opportunities and special events
for dads.
Many dads prefer hands-on projects, as well as
“Dad Only” events, school carnivals, sports
activities, father-daughter/father-son activities and
back-to-school fests.
 Give it to them straight.
Men want clearly defined volunteer roles and
expectations. Telling them the what, where, when,
and how makes them more likely to volunteer.
Tips on getting fathers involved
 Communicate with dads in the way they want to
be reached.
Dads want fewer meetings. They prefer to
receive communications via email or newsletter,
with information presented in bulleted lists or as
brief summary points.
 Seek out male members in the community.
Instead of waiting for men to come to you, go
where men gather in the community such as ball
games, Rotary, Kiwanis or Lions Club, and Sports
Grill restaurants.
Tips on getting fathers involved
 No “Dear Parents” letter please…..
“Dear Parents” is a code for “Dear Mom”. If you
need help from dads, make sure it greets them as
“ Dear Dads” and or “ For Dads Only”.
 Recognize and celebrate fathers involvement.
Publicize your successes. Reinforcing men’s
contributions creates a positive and welcoming
school atmosphere for dads.
Every school is unique! Always make sure that your
principal is on board for every Dad’s activity that you
plan to do!
Programs that work
 Dad’s Day is the First Day
In Indianapolis Public Schools, the first day of school is
called “Dad’s Day is the First Day”, to persuade dads to
bring their children to school. The district continues its
efforts throughout the year, encouraging mothers in
urban schools to reach out to students male models.
 The Security Dads
In San Diego City Schools, administrators have found
that fathers prefer to be given specific tasks and the
leeway to do them. The Security Dads was formed,
which matches volunteers with spending an hour or
more each week patrolling the school hallways,
mentoring students, and or providing expertise in school
projects.
Programs that work
 R.E.A.D. to Kids
Reconnecting Education And Dads, Kansas City,
Missouri, is a project of the Urban Fathering
Project. This activity helps dads develop a reading
program for their children.
 Parents as Teachers
A statewide program in St. Louis, Missouri, this
program advocates that parents are children’s first
teachers.
Programs that work
 Dads Breakfast Program
Dads first have breakfast with their children, then
have a dads-only discussion led by parent liaison
about the school project, and then rejoin their
children to do the classroom/school work and
other fixing up in the classroom/school.
 Walk for Success
Team of parent liaison, teachers and dads walk
door to door and share information about student
achievement test schedule and testing tips.
Programs that work
 What My Father Means to Me; Me and My Dad
Essay and Poster Making Contest
A powerful strategy that enhances the writing
and art skills of students; use students’ work to
celebrate Dads in school.
 Me and He
An after school activity that showcases children
and their male role models’ hobbies and talents.
Programs that work
 Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students)
A K-12 program, invites fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or
other father figures to volunteer at least one day all day at
their child’s/student's school during the school year.
Individuals sign up at a kick-off event such as a “Dads and
Kids Pizza Night” or “Donuts with Dad” or in the office at any
time throughout the school year. The program is overseen by
a “Top Dog” volunteer who partners with the school
administrator to coordinate scheduling and identify
opportunities for Watch DOGS to provide assistance at the
school. Watch DOGS volunteers perform a variety of tasks
during their volunteer day including monitoring the school
entrance, assisting with unloading and loading of buses and
cars, monitoring the lunch room, or helping in the classroom
with a teacher's guidance by working with small groups of
students on homework, flashcards, or spelling.
Programs that work
 The Starlight Cove Elementary’s A.R.M.Y.(Active
Responsible Men for Youth)
This is an initiative started by the AP Matthew
Payner and Guidance Counselor, Michael Kane.
It's goal is to provide a time for dads, uncles,
grandpas, older brothers or any other significant
male role models in a child's life to spend quality
time at school with them. A summer event included
making a "toolbox" to store question stems to be
used to discuss books and a recent event focused
on how to initiate and hold meaningful
conversations with their children.
Father Involvement Resources
 All Pro Dad, www.allprodad.com
 Black Star Project, www.blackstarproject.org
 National Center for Fathering, www.fathers.com
 National Fatherhood Initiative, www.fatherhood.org
 PTA, www.pta.org
 Real Men Cook, www.realmencook.com
 Three for Me, www.three4me.com
 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
fatherhood initiative, www.fatherhood.hhs.gov
The Reward
In short, when parents are involved in
education, children do better in school,
and schools get better.
THNX
49
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Dr. Monica Knight: The “Parent-digm” Shift- Part 2- ECTAC Presentation
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