www.ericdigests.org/2000-2/online.htm

Summary:

Studies on parental involvement also indicate that the most accurate predictor of a child’s achievement in school is the extent to which the child’s family is able to create an environment that encourages learning. Communicate high yet reasonable expectations for their children’s achievement and future careers and become involved in their children’s education at school and within the community. The six National Standards are focused on issues of promoting effective communication and participation in school-home-community partnerships and supporting parenting skills. There are several issues crucial to student success. The more parents participate in schooling in a substantial way, at every level in advocacy, decision making and oversight roles, as fund raisers and boosters, as volunteers and para-professionals and as home teachers the better for student achievement. Second, although most parents do not know how to help their children with their education, with guidance and support they may become more involved in home learning activities. Lastly, parents who are aware of diversity issues and knowledgeable about school social environments can contribute greatly to their children’s social and academic growth.

            The National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement have identified five goals for parent involvement ventures. 1) To engage parents in technology practices that benefit their children, their families an their communities, 2) to promote meaningful school parent exchanges, 3) to raise awareness regarding the components of effective programs and family involvement research, 4) to promote an understanding of cultural and linguistic diversity in school family partnerships, and 5) to encourage contributions to and collaborative efforts within the community.

My Position:

            I feel that parental involvement plays an essential role in the educational development of children. Parents can make or break what happens at school. Many parents are unaware of how helpful they can be. Some parents do have the technological training necessary for them to aid their children in any way possible. Parents must also let the children know that they have high expectations of them so that they can aim high and achieve great things. Children perform according to what teachers and parents ask of them. The National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement identified five goals for parent involvement ventures. These five goals are essential if parents are to become more involved in the education of their children. Their involvement can be the difference that is needed in the school system to allow more children to succeed.