Why does it Matter?

While the idea of increasing parent involvement most often receives universal approval, defining what parent involvement really means is far more difficult. Most parents when asked if they are involved in supporting their kid’s education, growth, and development would answer in the affirmative and may even take offense at anyone assuming otherwise.

In 1999, Public Agenda, a non-profit organization dedicated to unbiased public opinion research, conducted a study and produced a report, “Playing Their Parts: Parents and Teachers Talk About Parental Involvement in Public Schools.” The results were fascinating, finding a lot of murky areas of communication on the topic of parent involvement. What they did find was a common concern for the welfare and future of our nation’s children and the “feeling” that there is something different that parents and schools need to be paying attention to.

According to the study, the term parental involvement means many things to many people. For some, it means getting more parents involved in school governance, volunteering in the classroom or fund raising to benefit the school. But for many others, the focus is on what is happening at home.

While the research showed that volunteering at school is helpful and important, there was overwhelming agreement that it is not what parents do at school but what they do at home that makes the difference. Both teachers and parents agreed that teaching kids respect, effort, and self-control is essential to support academic learning. These core values, echoed by all, are what make the difference in kid’s success in school and in life. The study showed that “teachers across the country believe that they simply cannot do their best job teaching because too many students lack the basic upbringing and supervision to make them ready to learn.”

Parent involvement is much more complex than meets the eye. Today’s parents know that education is of great importance to their children’s success and they face a number of new pressures unknown to past generations, including the effect of the media and the internet on children. They already feel they are more involved than their own parents were in raising them. So what priorities need to change? How can parents and schools come to terms with these important issues?

The non-profit National ParentNet Association, through its work with more than 40 schools over a ten-year period, recently launched a new website, ParentInvolvementMatters.Org to encourage grassroots action in local school communities. The emphasis is placed on what parents do at home to support kids learning and how parent involvement programs must facilitate collaboration between parents and schools.

ParentNet is one program that has been used successfully to build a network of communication between parents and schools and to facilitate learning about the things that matter most to our kids. Although the website offers access to ParentNet and its materials for schools to freely use, it also provides a window to many other resources, articles, and success stories that are being developed around the country.

Much more discussion is necessary between parents and between parents and schools on the subject of parent involvement. As reformers work to improve education, we must ask some tough questions about how parents are currently “involved” and what that involvement may look like if it were to better support the learning goals of most educational institutions.

The connection between parent involvement and student achievement is obvious. The question is how do teachers go about increasing this parent involvement?

There are many different ways teachers can do this, but I think the best way to increase parent invovlement is through your own “teacher blog” (granted, nearly all of my students have internet access).

Nevertheless, I think every teacher these days should have some type of website or blog.

Having a “teacher blog” allows teachers to very easily contact parents on a weekly basis.

On my classroom blog I make a simple post each week informing parents (and students) of what we are doing that week and what the homework is each day. I also inform them of important upcoming events and due dates (such as the History Fair, fcat testing etc.). I even include helpful links to the school calendar, district website, homework philosophy, curriculum map etc.

What I did is really not that difficult. But you should know that my way does cost a little money (about $6.95) per month.

First, let me tell you about a couple of free ways. First of all, check with your school….you may have some type of web creating software and you could host your site though the school’s servers. However, the program at our school is so bad I don’t even bother…it’s really a joke. The other thing you can do is set up a free blog with blogger.com or wordpress.com. Both of these are free, but you are limited in several ways.

Personally, I enjoy having my “own” web site where I have complete control AND my own domain name. To do this you must purchase a domain name and host your web site. Fortunately, if you do this right it does not cost much.

Just make sure to sign up for a hosting account with a reputable host that has a Cpanel. This will allow you to automatically install the wordpress blog script…that is what I use. This may have sounded complicated, but really it’s not…it’s quite easy and any good hosting company will have a great support staff.

Once you have your blog up and running you will want your parents (and students) to be able to sign up for automatic notifications. This way, every time you update the blog your parents will automatically get sent an email with the blog post embedded in the email.

Think about this from a parent’s point of view…how great would it be to get an email each and every week letting you know what your child will be working on that week and what the homework is each day of the week.

To do this you can use a site such as feedburner.com. Simply follow the directions provided on that site that show you how to publicize your “feed”. You basically copy small amount of html code from their site and paste it into the sidebar of your own site (via your control panel). Again, this may sound complicated, but it is actually very easy…you could have the whole things set up in less than 20 minutes.

Just think how impressed your parents, students, and administration will be, but more importantly, think about how much it will help improve your students’ academic achievement.

Parent volunteers and an effective school volunteer program can enhance the perform of students, enrich the curriculum, enhance a school’s image, improve teacher relationships and provide an array of job skills. Learn about the benefits of creating a school volunteer program and why recruiting and training parent volunteers is a must effective parent involvement.

A Parent Volunteer Program Enriches the Curriculum

A teacher’s job can be overwhelming. Yet many of these activities can be handled efficiently by others, notably, parent or school volunteers. When teachers are freed from the routine and ordinary responsibilities of duplicating, preparing materials, clerical tasks, grading papers, and the like, they have more time to explore and develop ideas that will enhance, support, and reinforce the curriculum and student learning.

Student Achievement Increased

In addition to the benefit of extra help, studies continue to taut the positive effects of parent involvement on student achievement. Active parent participation is known for raising student scores, higher grades, increase in student achievement, cultivating positive attitudes about school by both parents and students, enhanced motivation and self esteem and overall satisfaction with teachers.

Students Receive More Individualized Attention

Another advantage to an effective volunteer program is the additional individualized attention students will receive. Most classrooms consist of 20-34 students with only one instructor. It is literally impossible for classroom teachers to sufficient time with struggling students. Unfortunately, this can result in some students falling through the cracks and/or not receiving the extra help needed for success. Teachers can train and utilize volunteers to assist with individualized and small group instruction to enhance student learning.

School Image Enhanced

With all the negative publicity associated with schools around the country, a successful parent volunteer program is one way to gain some kudos for your school. Happy and empowered school volunteers will be your greatest mouth-piece and ally for the school. The parent grapevine is a strong and vital source that transmits information throughout the school site and community at large. You will be projecting to the community how much you value parents and their input into their child’s success.

Teacher Appreciation Improves

Do you know that many parents are just as intimidated of teachers as teachers are of parents? Many parents, especially those of diverse backgrounds, have had negative school experiences. They have experienced negative teacher attitudes and unwelcoming school atmospheres and may feel uncomfortable even being on a school campus. Your willingness you reach out and make parents a crucial part of your school programs helps to bridge these gaps and elevate the appreciation for both teachers and the school in general.

Enhance Job Skills

When you recruit and train parents to volunteer you are also increasing their work skills for future employment. Whether parents are assisting you with your reading program, using the copy or laminating machines, or editing writing prompts, they are learning valuable skills that will benefit themselves, their children, and the school for years to come.

Reduces Discipline Problems

Having parents around greatly reduces discipline problems within your classroom and at the school. When parents volunteer they send the message to their children that education is important. This translates into high expectations for learning to take place. In addition, students tend to be on their best behavior when their parents are present.

Teachers Morale Improves

Teachers have one of the highest attrition rates in the workforce. Long hours, high stress, little reward and recognition, lower pay, and increasing work loads contribute to the high burnout rates. The average teacher stays in the profession approximately 5 years before seeking greener pastures. Teachers must make balancing their life a priority, otherwise burnout and stress will creep in and dampen their spirits. Balanced teachers are happier teachers and happy teachers create the most effective learning environments for student success.

Student Motivation Increases

Research indicates that students of involved parents have a more favorable attitude toward school. A positive attitude will result in more engaged students, increased learning, less absenteeism, and better grades.

Parent volunteers are an important part of any school program. An effective school volunteer program can increase student achievement, enhance a school’s image, reduce behavior programs, improve teacher relationships and improve student morale.

Unfortunately, getting parents involved in the education process can be daunting. Parent apprehension, overextended schedules, and lack of clear guidelines can keep many potential parent volunteers at bay. Therefore, schools must become more and more creative on how they recruit and maintain school volunteers.

Below are several methods schools can put into practice to get more parents involved in their child’s education.

1. Host a School Volunteer Fair

If you plan to implement a whole school volunteer program try hosting a Parent Volunteer Fair during Open House, Parent Day, or Back to School Night. Ask your PTA or PTO to help out by placing tables along the school entrance. Attach cute signs of each volunteer opportunity along with a sign up sheet. Have the principal encourage parents to sign up for one or more events before leaving for the day or evening. Use this for whole school event sign-ups, not classroom volunteers.

2. Room Parents

Solicit one or two room parents that will act as a liaison between the classroom teacher, parents, and the school staff. The Room Parent can assist in recruiting volunteers for one-time projects or other classroom needs. Room Parents may make contact through telephone calls or memos sent home through the teacher.

3. Parent Volunteer Bulletin Board

Place a volunteer bulletin board in the parent room in the school office. As needed, teachers and other staff members may post a request for volunteers on the bulletin board as needs arise.

4. School Newsletter

Use the school newsletter to will list upcoming volunteer opportunities.

5. School Website

Create a school website to list annual volunteer opportunities and job descriptions. The website can also include volunteer guidelines, procedures, and other important information.

For Example:

Book Fair

Students order books from book fair held in the library. Volunteers needed for set-up and assisting students. Duration: Twice a year. Volunteers Needed: 1 Coordinator, 5 Helpers

6. Volunteer Handbook

The Parent Volunteer Handbook serves as a promotional guide for the volunteer opportunities at your site. It should list fund-raisers and school-wide activities in need of volunteer support. Parents can look through the handbook and then select any areas of interest on the Parent Volunteer Assistance Form.

Parents volunteer for a variety of reasons: learning new job skills, contributing to the success of students, wanting to feel useful, looking for a social outlet, enjoyment working with children, and more.

Many volunteers gain a sense of satisfaction knowing they are helping a teacher with his or her many tasks or helping child through a difficult problem.

Even with the intrinsic rewards gained from knowing they are helping others, it is important to be mindful of ways to show parent volunteers that you appreciate them. Instead of leaving volunteer recognition to chance, develop a reward system in advance of how you will show your gratitude for parents who give up time from their daily schedules to be a part of your classroom.

To make that job easier, below are 12 ways to tell volunteers they are special and encourage them in their efforts.

1. Have your volunteers complete a personal interest form that list their birthdays, favorite hobbies, occupations, a short write-up about why they want to volunteer, a short write-up about themselves, etc.

2. Select a Parent Volunteer of the Month. Have them complete the form. Post to your Volunteer Bulletin Board.

3. Purchase a disposable camera to have on hand to take pictures of volunteers in action.

4. Create a Parent Volunteers-In-Action Bulletin Board in your classroom. Use the bulletin board to leave messages for volunteers such as “Need a volunteer to help on Friday!” Decorate it with cute scrapbook items. Section off a part of the bulletin board to post pictures of volunteers. Spotlight one of your volunteers each month. Type of the write-ups from the Volunteer Personal Interest Form and post with photos.

5. Buy enough birthday, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas cards for each volunteer. Write a brief note of appreciation in each card. Label a sticky note with the birthday listed on each birthday card. Put them in a safe place and mail them out accordingly.

6. Start a Parent Volunteer Scrapbook. At the end of each year, place photos and other information for new volunteers to browse through.

7. Have students make decorate name tags parent volunteers can wear when coming to the school.

8. Create a parent volunteer snack box near the area where volunteers will be working. Fill the box with small treats, snacks, tea bags, cups, etc. Hungry volunteers will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

9. Make copies of a “We Missed You” letter or card to send to volunteers missing in action. Receiving this form lets volunteers know the importance of their contribution.

10. Encourage suggestions and comments by posting suggestion stationery on your class bulletin board. Volunteers who may not feel comfortable to express themselves verbally can communicate their ideas on paper.

11. Do not forget to keep track of parent volunteer hours by placing your Volunteer Binder in the area volunteers’ work. At the end of the school year, tally up hours and provide a special gift to your volunteer who helped out the most.

12. Have students color cute name tags for volunteers to wear while at the school.