THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOLS

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN
SCHOOLS

• Created by, Natalie D. Ruffin
• Technology Teacher, P.S. 98
• New York, NY

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The Public Policy Analyst (PPA)

• Step 1 Define the Problem
• Step 2 Gather the Evidence
• Step 3 Identify the Causes
• Step 4 Evaluate an Existing Policy
• Step 5 Develop Solutions
• Step 6 Select the Best Solution
• Feasibility vs. Effectiveness

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THE PROBLEM

• A LACK OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE EDUCATION
  PROCESS
• THE LACK OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS THE BIGGEST
  AND MOST CONCERNING PROBLEM FACING PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Step 1 Define the Problem
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THE RESULTS OF THE PROBLEM

• POOR STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
• STUDENT BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AND LOW STUDENT MORALE
• A LACK OF POSITIVE AND RESPECTFUL SCHOOL CULTURE
• STUDENT BULLYING, HARRASSMENT, AND VIOLENCE
• A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT LACKS DISCIPLINE AND
  SAFETY
• http//www.publicagenda.org/press-releases/discipl
  ine-problems-unrulybehavior-seriously-threatening-
  student-achievement

Step 1 Define the Problem
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RESEARCH INDICATES THE FOLLOWING EFFECTS WHEN
THERE IS PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

• Better grades, test score progression, and higher
  graduation rates
• Higher school attendance rates
• Increased motivation, better self-esteem
• Lower rates of suspension
• Decreased use of drugs and alcohol
• Good behavior and fewer instances of violent
  behavior and gang activity

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THE CAUSES

• Parents feel unwelcomed at the school
• There is a lack of knowledge and education, and
  parents may not feel that education is important
• A shortage of time for working parents
• Parents may not know-how to help out"
• The parents may be illiterate or unable to speak
  English
• Family problems such as divorce, death,
  financial issues, drugs, incarceration,
  immigration issues, etc.
• Single parents often do not have the time, money,
  or knowledge to help children with homework or
  projects
• http//www.edpsycinteractive.org/files/parinvol.ht
  ml

Step 3 Identify the Causes
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WHY IS PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IMPORTANT?

• TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND STUDENT
  BEHAVIOR
• TO CREATE A POSITIVE AND SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL
  CULTURE AND CLIMATE
• TO TEACH STUDENTS TO BECOME LIFE-LONG LEARNERS
  AND PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY
• TO SHOW STUDENTS CARE, CONCERN, AND SUPPORT

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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT INCLUDES

• SUPPORTING STUDENTS IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS
• SHOWING AN INTEREST IN THE STUDENTS LIFE,
  EDUCATION, AND ACTIVITIES
• COMMUNICATING WITH TEACHERS AND STAFF
• LEADING BY EXAMPLE
• HOME LEARNING ACTIVITIES THAT ALLOW PARENTS TO
  TEACH, BE MODELS, AND GUIDE THEIR CHILDREN

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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT-PARTICIPATE IN PARENT
WORKSHOPS, TRAINING, AND CLASSES
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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT -ATTEND SCHOOL
PERFORMANCES
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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT VOLUNTEER AND SUPPORT
SCHOOL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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PARENTAL SUPPORT

• ATTEND PARENT-TEACHER-STAFF MEETINGS
• COMMUNICATE
• BECOME AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT

Step 5 Develop Solutions
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AUTHORS RESEARCH FINDINGS-SURVEY BASED

• PARENTS SHOWED A MAJOR INTEREST IN THEIR
  CHILDRENS BEHAVIOR, SELF-ESTEEM, AND ACADEMIC
  ACHIEVEMENT
• AT LEAST 50 OF THE PARENTS ARE WILLING TO
  VOLUNTEER AT THE SCHOOL
• REGARDLESS OF ETHNICITY, SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS,
  AND EDUCATION LEVEL, MOST PARENTS WANT THEIR
  CHILDREN TO SUCCEED
• http//www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/
  Public-education/Parent-Involvement

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THE BEST SOLUTIONS

• ORGANIZE, CREATE, AND ESTABLISH INITIATIVES TO
  INCLUDE PARENTS AS PARTNERS
• OFFER WORKSHOPS, CLASSES, AND TRAINING FOR
  PARENTS
• PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE PARENTAL
  INVOLVEMENT (GIFT CARDS, METRO CARDS, ETC.)
• ESTABLISH ON-GOING COMMUNICATION AND
  RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS
• ANNUAL SCHOOL-WIDE EVENT SUCH AS FAMILY NIGHT,
  SEASONAL FESTIVALS, FUND-RAISERS,ETC.
• ESTABLISH A PARENT ADVISORY BOARD/PTA

Step 6 Select the Best Solution
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

• REMEMBER THE SUCCESS OF AMERICAS FUTURE IS
  DEPENDENT ON IMPROVING SCHOOLS TODAY!

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REFERENCES

• http//www.michigan.gov/documents/Final_Parent_Inv
  olvement_Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pdf
• http//bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/files_uploaded/uploade
  d_resources/18617/Desforges.pdf