Getting involved in your child’s education – Part 4: Making it happen

In the final part of Lisa’s series on getting involved in your child’s education, she offers practical reasons for making communication and engagement a priority, and the positive impact it can have on student success.

By Lisa Saunders

Director of Programs, Bridgeway

The effectiveness of communication between home and school is essential to student success, not just in younger grades, but also in junior high and high schools (Shirvani, 2007).  Anecdotal reports highlight success for younger students in particular and students who are in need of extra support such as students diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (Block, 2010).  Children spend approximately 85 % of their waking hours, outside of school, with their parents/guardians (Shirvani, 2007).  So, it would stand to reason that parents can influence a child’s education a great deal through creating a supportive and academically stimulating environment (Block, 2010).  Parents have a great deal of insight into their children, how they learn and what other circumstances may impact their school performance.  Working with their child and their child’s school can directly affect their child’s experiences in the classroom (Block, 2010).

Successful initiatives that actively include parents in the education of their children have been seen in the UK but have been elusive in the North American public education system.  Reaching out to parents in an effort to open the doors and dispel the mystery of our schools has been successful in many independent schools.  Guiding parents on how they can effect change in their child’s education starts with giving information educators work with day to day; career planning, navigating the school system and understanding educational jargon are some common areas parents request more information on (Black, 2010).  A fear of low parent participation and negative responses often prevent school leaders from burdening their staff with the responsibilities that come with an open door policy of parent-school communication.

Properly supported staffs who have the backing of a leader who establishes clear goals for parent-school communication will ultimately meet with increased student success.   Student success defined by increases in test scores, attendance and academic achievement as well as decreases in behavioral issues and referrals to the principal’s office are results of parent’s involvement in their child’s education.  Although the practice of open communication with families has been limited to report card distribution and calls home from the principal’s office, the practice of improved communication combining the efforts of both parents and school members yields positive results for the students.  Support from the educational leader comes in the form of fostering this concept within each school and each family through coaching both the teaching staff and the families in the most effective way to achieve their shared goal; student success.

If you want to continue the conversation with Lisa, or have questions about how you can further support your child’s education, you can reach her at 902-464-0134 or by email at lisa.saunders@bridgeway-academy.com.