Getting involved in your child’s education – Part 3: The role of the educational leader

How do you set the stage for parental engagement in education?  Today, Lisa discusses the need for leadership within the school to create an environment that fosters effective communication with parents.

By Lisa Saunders

Director of Programs, Bridgeway

Traditionally the educational leader’s role is more behind the scenes allowing assistances or vice-principals to run the staff and the staff to run the schools (Goldman, 1998).  It is up to the leadership of the principal or head of school to establish important practices; model what they want the teaching staff to emulate.  Creation of a welcoming environment where parents feel encouraged to come to the school, speak with staff, ask questions and offer feedback would be conducive to opening the door to parent involvement in their child’s education.  Not limited to parent organizations or parent advisory councils…just creation of a welcoming environment where parents feel comfortable asking questions and sharing information.  It is up to the person in charge, the educational leader to initiate this movement one school at a time.  “…the school’s characteristics are a reflection of the educational values of the leader” (Goldman, 1998).

Creation of individualized plans for children in public schools can be used as an example of an intimidating circumstance for typical parents to be involved in.  The individualized planning process includes parents but alienates them based on use of unfamiliar lingo and families having little influence over the process (Geltner & Leibforth, 2008).  Involving parents in their child’s education is not only focused on what parents can bring to the school, but what the school can offer the family. 

Tomorrow, Lisa will wrap up her series on getting parents involved in education with some advice on how schools can make it happen.