Key takeaways
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Parent engagement in school positively impacts students academically and personally.. An effective home-school partnership helps students carry their learning outside of the walls of their classrooms.
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Schools should dedicate time and space to connecting with parents and families. A comprehensive plan is needed to engage parents from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of school experience.
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Opportunities for parent engagement should exist in all primary and secondary schools. Each school will need to consider the unique needs of its community to build connections with families.
The average American student will attend school for 180 days over a 13-year period. That means they will spend approximately 16,380 hours in school. The knowledge and skills they master should not exist in isolation, but rather be applicable to their life outside of school. Parent-school relationships are vital to the transference of education into real-world environments.
What Is Parent Engagement?
Parent engagement is an umbrella term used to describe a two-way connection between the home and the learning environment. The word parent is used to represent the unique home setting of each student. The most basic level of engagement will provide parents with access to information about their child and the school. This foundational step is necessary to ensure that all families can locate important news; however, this is a one-sided process. Parent engagement should build from this point.
With an information-sharing system in place, a school can begin engaging families in two-way communication. Regular communication fosters a collaborative approach to education and helps a student see that their school and parents are partners in their success. Taking a shared view of parent engagement is critical because information flows both ways. Many schools offer parents technological tools to share their questions and concerns in a timely manner. With opportunities for all stakeholders to openly communicate, strong parent engagement can grow.
The ultimate goal of parent engagement is to strengthen a school community to provide the best educational experience for the whole child. When families and schools communicate early and often, misunderstandings can be avoided, and a plan for student growth can be developed and shared. Parents should be given opportunities to improve the quality of education at their local school through partnership and mutual benefit.
Examples of Parent Engagement
- A student who requires wrap-around services would benefit greatly from a strong school-parent relationship. It will be easier for a counselor or social worker to locate the correct resources when parents can clearly articulate their needs and home situation to the school. The school’s engagement with the parents could lead to in-school or at-home therapeutic services.
- Schools at all levels should have a year-long calendar of fun events that invite families and stakeholders into the building in a low-stakes setting. Examples could include events during the school day or after school hours. Many of these events benefit from an additional partnership with the PTO/PTA. Examples include a tailgate for a sporting event, a Bingo night, a school dance, and a fine-dining experience at lunch.
- Most school districts provide access to technological platforms that allow parents to stay abreast of their students’ grades and academic progress 24 hours a day. Though this access to information is helpful, nothing can replace conversations between parents and teachers. Examples include Back-to-School Night, quarterly conferences, AP Night, curriculum night, or parent university.
- Each school district will have different financial demographics to support. Whether a school has Title I resources or not, it is important to consider what take-home resources can be made available to the community. Resources could range from personal hygiene to food, to school supplies, to clothing.
Why Is Parent Engagement Important?
All school leaders should continually consider how to improve parent engagement in schools. Students from PreK through twelfth grade are facing challenges unlike those of any other generation. The best way to address these needs is through a concerted effort with families and schools. When all parties involved demonstrate their commitment to the student and to education, positive benefits will follow. Research shows numerous benefits to parent involvement in schools, such as higher grades and better attendance, but there are also intangible benefits, including an overarching sense of value in education.
When parents actively engage with educators, their children receive higher test grades, course averages, and standardized test scores. At the same time, these students have fewer minor behavioral referrals, fewer unexcused absences, and fewer referrals to social services through the school system. Students who receive program supports, such as an IEP, EIP, or a 504 plan, have improved outcomes with ongoing parental engagement.
In the long-term, when parents value education and learning, so do their children. This is important for students’ future aspirations, regardless of the parents’ educational level. Additionally, children whose parents engage positively with their local school have fewer reports of self-harming behaviors.
What are Common Challenges to Parent Engagement?
Challenges to parent engagement come in two main areas: logistics and perception.
In logistics, it is important to understand the needs of your specific school community. Many families have working parents, which can create challenges for events held during the school day. It might not be possible to get time off to match the time of the meeting, conference, or celebration. Offering evening and nighttime events can alleviate some of the planning issues; however, this requires asking teachers and support staff to work after their scheduled hours.
Another logistical concern could be financially driven. A school would need to consider whether its families have access to transportation, food, and childcare during after-school events. If it is within the school’s ability, using buses, offering a meal, and providing care for small children can help more families engage with the school.
In locations where these concerns are not overwhelming, there are still the competing demands of extracurricular activities. Families must often choose among attending sports, tutoring, religious services, or school events.
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Ten Effective Ways to Increase Parent Engagement in Schools
Educators and leaders can consider the specific needs of their community when addressing how to increase parent engagement in schools.
Establish Direct Communication
Schools should create electronic newsletters and paper flyers to be sent home at specific intervals. This established communication allows parents to refer back to information, and families become accustomed to receiving the news in a timely manner.
Share on Social Media and Local News
Information that builds the school’s reputation and opens events to the wider community should be shared on established social media outlets and in local news. It is important to consider which school members will be responsible for keeping this information accurate and up to date. It is also best practice to establish contact with local news outlets to share potential stories.
Visit Neighborhoods
To engage with the community, get off campus and go into the neighborhoods. You could schedule pre-planning bus rides with teachers, attend local festivals, and meet members of the clergy.
Host Program Nights
Planning events for specific school populations can make attendance feel less daunting. You can also hone the event details for maximum impact. Schools could consider new student nights, English Learner nights (for parents or students), and science and math nights.
Offer Fine Arts, Athletics, and Clubs
For many families, a perfect way to invite them is to celebrate their student’s passions. Be sure your school offers events for a wide range of interests, and be proactive in preparing your campus to make a great impression.
Provide Volunteer Opportunities
Many parents are looking for ways to give back to their local schools. Leaders can support campus beautification projects, and educators can open their classrooms to involve parents in the learning process.
Make Phone Calls
Some communication tools are still relevant, and phone calls are one of them. Making a positive phone call as early in the year as possible can create a positive relationship. This should not be limited to teachers; school support staff and leaders can also be the initial point of contact.
Schedule Annual Events
Many families will have multiple children attending a local school. Annual events can establish a touchpoint for parents and alumni to visit each year. These events might include a Heritage Night, 5K/Fun Run, or Homecoming Parade.
Connect with Local Organizations
Schools and local service organizations should have a mutually beneficial relationship. By partnering with a local library, retirement center, house of worship, or fire station, you can create real-world connections and expand learning outside of the classroom.
Be Visible
As a school leader, the most important first step of parent engagement is to be visible. When parents know your name and your face, they will feel more connected to the school. Making yourself available at carlines, games, school activities, and local events will create a low-pressure environment for making new connections.
