Parental Engagement: A Five Part Discussion With Five School Based Professionals

Written by

Michael A. Robinson

Education: The Natural Bridge (ETNB) has long understood the important role parents play in the academic success of their children. Research has shown engaged parents impact the way children think about education. Thus suggesting when parents put emphasis on education the children follow.

In a ground breaking discussion over the next several weeks ETNB will closely examine the aspects of parental engagement, by discussing the pros and cons associated with increase parental engagement in public schools. During this time we will interview a panel of fathers/significant male role models, teachers, and counselors to obtain their views and opinions regarding parental engagement.

In part four of our five part discussion with five professionals from one of Maryland’s largest school districts we focused on ways parents can become more engaged with their child’s school.

ETNB: What do you believe the school system has to do in order to increase parental engagement?

Leydin: Be able to understand the cultural behavior of so many ethnic groups in our society, especially our County which is so interesting for the beauty of its diversity.

Luz: Schools have to create a plan identifying the mission, vision, values and goals including parents’ opinions. In PG County the ESOL population is growing every day. We need to educate parents. We need to teach them how the American system works. Those parents should be included in the PTA, programs, meeting, etc. It is important to have a bilingual Parent Liaison in each school to provide services to International parents. Parental involvement does not happen by accident. Schools need to have a plan to increase parental involvement. See the needs, set goals, activities and evaluate the progress of the plan.

Vanessa: The school system currently has exceptional programs to promote and increase parental engagement. The Parent Assisting Teacher program, Parent Visitation Program, Parent Volunteer Program, formal parent-teacher organizations, parental involvement with the School Improvement Plan, and the assignment of school-based parent liaison personnel with duties and responsibilities tailored to meet the needs of parents all have impacting results on the lives of children and the overall progress of schools. Data collected within the past 2 ½ years is demonstrative of this fact. The school system needs only to be patient in the process of a naturally occurring culture shift for caregivers.

Jose: Maintain “Open Schools” and the lines of communications open. Keep the school open year around providing extended school hours after the regular school day, offering programs during those extra hours for parents to increase their knowledge and well being. For example literacy classes, adult education courses in computers, arithmetic, household finances, general history to include knowledge of the country and practical courses in parenting and health. Offer tutoring programs year round in the school for those students in need of academic support and for those who want to enhance their knowledge. Through the parent liaison program a) keep the parents informed about the school and community happenings b) use all the lines of communication available (Data bases, internet, SCS, Internet, School Newsletter, Letters, Flyers) in English and Spanish language as we are a culturally diverse schools c) provide assistance as requested and as much as possible using the information available in the school and the school system d) coordinate with other agencies to offer parents information and workshops about the community and available resources and e) foster the parents/school and community relationships. The goal is to make the school a place where parents feel “the school is theirs and is there for their families.”

Jason: In order to increase parental engagement the school system needs to continue to build upon powerful programs like Parent Liaisons. The data has overwhelmingly shown the impact in the increase of parental involvement in schools when parents have an advocate who is in the building to serve them. The many programs and workshops that Parent Liaisons have implemented in their respective schools have worked to increase not only the number of parents involved in the educational process, but the number of fathers! Data bears witness that children who have parental support throughout the educational process are far more successful than those children who don’t!