SOS . . . Schools Need
PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parent Involvement.

These two words are on the lips of educators, legislators and community leaders across the United States as education reform and new testing requirements become reality. Now, as the academic bar is rising for students in grades one through 12, the parent support bar is also rising. Suddenly, there’s a new sense of urgency to the perennial challenge of getting and keeping parents nvolved in their child’s education.

When asked, most parents say their child’s education is very important and the key to future success. However,many parents say they are not sure how to help their child succeed or how to communicate with teachers or other school officials.

One way to reach these parents is by using the Parents on Board Video Library or other parent-involvement videos. “How do we get parents to come in and see them?” is a question often heard on the Active Parenting phone lines. This led us to compile a short list of different ways schools have used parent involvement videos.

• Open House/Conferences Run the video continuously in the media center so parents can drop in at their convenience. Host a preview showing for the teachers so they can encourage parents to stop by the media center. Post lots of signs. • PTA Meetings Have the video running as parents come into the auditorium. Before beginning the official program announce that it will be replayed after the meeting. • Video Matinee Schedule video showings complete with popcorn and soft drinks before school dismissal in the afternoon and in the evening. (As previously reported in LEADER magazine, a school in Virginia has had great success with this method. Click here for the story). Publicize video matinee dates in the school newsletter and fliers sent home with students.

• School Counselors
Invite parents to discuss their child’s progress and then view the program in a nearby office. Discuss parent-child- school communication strategies.

• Community Organizations
IPartner with local community organizations (civic clubs, chamber of commerce, library, YMCA, etc.) and offer a parent involvement video/discussion program for an upcoming meeting. Invite the local newspaper and television stations to send a reporter.

• Parent Resource Library
Create a Parent Resource Library and allow parents to check out videos to view at home at their convenience.

Middle School Transition Programs
Middle school poses a new set of parent involvement challenges. For one thing, kids entering adolescence usually don’t want their parents to be as involved in their lives as before. The parents often think that now that their kids “know the ropes,” Mom and Dad don’t need to be as concerned about school matters.

Of course nothing could be further from the truth!

Many schools run transition programs to help students and parents move from the security of elementary school to the new academic and social demands of middle school. Showing the new Parents on Board –Middle School Edition helps parents understand how they can be appropriately involved in their children’s education as they grow more independent and assume greater responsibility for their academic progress.

by Diana King