THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN

SCHOOLS

Created by, Natalie D. RuffinTechnology Teacher, P.S. 98

New York, NY

The Public Policy Analyst (PPA)

• 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 SAFETYhttp://www.publicagenda.org/press-releases/discipline-problems-

unrulybehavior-seriously-threatening-student-achievementStep 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 projectshttp://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 INVOLVEMENT-PARTICIPATE 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 FINDINGS-SURVEY 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/Public-education/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

14Step 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_Parent_Involvement_Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pdf

• http://bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/files_uploaded/uploaded_resources/18617/Desforges.pdf