Parental involvement in schools

Parental involvement has decreased so much over the years as a result of many different things specifically work schedules. Most parents can’t make parent teacher conferences because of their schedules and many just have to weigh the options of which is more important. The question is whether or not there is a legitimate excuse for a lack of parental involvement in the child’s education.

Teachers and administrative staff have been known to go out of their way to accommodate parents and their busy schedules. However, how much are parents willing to sacrifice to become more involved with their children? This article talks about a school system in Michigan where they are proposing to jail parents for missing parent/teacher conferences. Hearing this initially may take some aback but it discusses how the school system is willing to accommodate parents by coming after hours and on weekends to accommodate parents whose schedule don’t permit them to conference during regular work hours. So, if teachers try everything to accommodate for parents shouldn’t parents try as well?

It is imperative that parents understand the importance of their involvement in their child’s education. DeKalb County Schools provide a Parent Resource Guide each year to give parents an overview of what they should expect while their child is in school. The edition comes out each school year and can be accessed here.  

While some parents often think that the teachers and administrative staff are the only ones responsible for aiding the children in achieving high marks per the AYP standards, it is also necessary that they be involved. Parents challenge educators to accurately prepare their students and are also often the objective eye that can spot when something is not being beneficial to the school as a whole.

As schools continue to do their best to make sure communities and parents are involved through the Georgia Appleseed program and the National Coalition for Parental Involvement in Education, parents must also see the necessity of their involvement. They are major players in the education game and can help predict the future of education in their child’s life.