A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

A New Understanding of Parent Involvement

"Most parents and families desire to provide the best future possible for their children." (Essie Middleton, State President, Arkansas PTA). However, despite their interest and good intentions, some families are unaware of how to become more actively involved, others say they feel uncomfortable and unwelcome in their children's schools, still others are prevented from becoming involved by conflicts between work and school schedules.

"Schools give lip service to parent involvement, but then schedule conferences during the day, send home report cards that read like IRS instructions, and forget to leave parking spaces for parents." (Carole Kennedy, President Elect, National Association of Elementary School Principals). Many schools only want parents to do what they want them to do --help with homework, come to school activities, and raise money. If schools want real parent involvement, they need to start treating parents as true partners -- partners who have their own needs as well as their own special expertise to contribute to the growth and development of children.

"Involving parents doesn't mean that educators should tell them what they're going to do. It means taking parents seriously enough to respect their point of view and to truly involve them." (Virginia B. Edwards, Editor, Education Week). There are many different types and levels of parent involvement which need to be recognized and valued. Employers play an important role in making parent involvement possible because "for many people the traditional separation of work and family is no longer feasible and the demands of work versus the obligations of personal life have become a prominent business issue." (Ann-Lee Verville, General Manager, Worldwide Education Industry, IBM).

• There are many different forms and levels of involvement. Parents don't have to come to school to be involved. Family assistance at home affects children's attendance, achievement and classroom behavior.
• Parent involvement is a collaborative effort involving families, schools, community and religious groups and employers.
• Parent involvement means family involvement. Growing numbers of grandparents, aunts, uncles and even friends have taken over the role of parent for the children of others. Parent involvement today means the involvement of every adult who has undertaken the responsibility for the well being of a child.
• Schools and educators must begin with the assumption that the majority of parents care about their children's education and want to be involved.
• Educators must develop strategies to communicate clearly with the public and with parents, to avoid jargon, and to listen with precision.
• Hard-to-reach parents can often be reached by other parents through initiatives such as the Arkansas Parent-to-Parent, Parent Involvement Project.

Madeleine M. Kunin, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education moderated a panel which included Carole Kennedy, President of the National Association of Elementary School Principals; Essie Middleton, State President of the Arkansas PTA; Sharon Hussey, National Director of Membership and Programs, Girl Scouts of the United States of America; Sister Lourdes Sheehan, Director, Alliance for a Catholic Education, University of Notre Dame; Anne-Lee Verville, General Manager, Worldwide Education Industry, IBM; and, Virginia Edwards, Editor, Education Week.

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