Discover how to get parents involved in school.
Educators are searching for the answer.
There is no cookie-cutter answer to this question because each situation is different. If a student is suffering or behind in school it is vitally important that a parent get involved in the situation before it gets out of control.
Even if the parent feels they are incapable of helping their student, or worse they just don’t care, it is necessary to make an attempt.
It has been proven that to the extent that a parent is involved in their child’s education their performance will increase.
One of the most helpful ways to answer the question of how to get parents involved in school – let them know that they are capable of helping their student and that their help is important.
Many parents feel powerless to help their child because they may not have an education themselves, they don’t know the material, or they just don’t know what they need to do.
If a parent feels like they are not capable of helping their student, then you need to take steps to make sure this change.
If you can send home an answer key to a practice assignment or give a hard copy of notes to a parent via email, then they will have a good reference point. Sometimes it is as simple as letting the parent know that you care enough to contact them about their student that will turn the tides of their involvement.
One of the most practical tools teachers use in the classroom is a classroom website. There are many programs out there, and most districts are now requiring that a teacher have a website for the class. Make sure that parents have access to this website and that you keep it up to date. Put notes, practice assignments, and post dates from homework and test in order to let the parent know when their student has an assignment do. This simple communication tool can change everything and help a parent have a better response than “Okay” to their student when they say they have no homework.
Most uninvolved parents have a list of reason why they cannot help their student. These excuses cannot be accepted when it comes to their child’s future. Here are some practical ways to help the non existent parent get involved in their student’s life.
Give parents these five things that will help begin the process of better involvement in their student’s life.
- Make time for your family and ask your kids about their education. You should know when report cards come out, how the sports teams are doing, and what activities your child is involved in. Every school has a website where you can find this information, and most schools have automated phone systems to update the important events.
- If you child is enrolled in an extra-curricular activity, then do your best to attend at least half of all their events. Your presence makes a big difference in their lives, and their participation in the activity makes a significant impact on their educational success. Students who are involved in extra-curricular activities usually have an eligibility requirement. This ensures that your student is getting the grades that he needs to pass for the year.
- If your student is not enrolled in an extra-curricular activity, then you need to find out why. The number of clubs and organizations in schools are in the hundreds and designed so that all students can find something to be a part of. Encourage them to find their niche at school, or make an attempt to get them involved outside of school.
- Join a Parent-Teacher Organization. This does not mean that you will volunteer for every event that there is, but you will be in the loop on what types of events are offered and when they occur. If you have made a habit of always being absent from events, then surprise your teen by being present. Whether they admit it or not, it makes a difference.
- Keep your phone and email contacts up to date for school personnel and don’t ignore them when they contact you. This is crucial to the success of your student, especially when there is a problem. If you are willing to collaborate with teachers, then you child’s success is imminent. Teachers will do their best to work on behalf of your child, and if you are on board, it makes an enormous difference.
