Parent Engagement in Schools Can Support Educational Success

ByMeshellBaylor,MHS

“AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE MOST OVERWHELMING KEY TO A CHILD’S SUCCESS IS THE POSITIVE INVOLVEMENTOFPARENTS,”STATESJANED.HULL,GOVERNOROFARIZONA(1997TO2003).THEROLEOF APARENTPLAYSANIMPACTFULPOSITIONONTHEACHIEVEMENTOFACHILD.ITISTHEREASONACHILD CANCLIMBAMOUNTAIN:THEPARENTISTHERETOCHEERTHEMONACADEMICALLY,ATHLETICALLY,AND INDIVIDUALLY.

As parents, we are often in the home advocating for our children to achieve success. Even if they are the smallest things, like meeting an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) goal or learning to write a sentence and turning that sentence into a paragraph, those small accomplishments are a testament to the importance of a parent’s engagement in their child’s educational success. Parent engagement in schools is defined as parents and school staff working together to support and improve the learning, development, and health of children and adolescents.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a research study conducted in 2016 highlighted 89% of children (kindergarten through 12th grade) meet academic success because of the involvement of a parental guardian. As a parent of a special needs child, I used to wonder how I could become involved in the school system to help my child succeed. Parents of special needs children often feel left out in the parent-engagement realm, but the key to involvement is educating the school on how to practice inclusion with parent involvement for all children.

Your child’s education is just as important as that of the next child. I remember walking into my first Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meeting and feeling awkward and hesitant, but I continued to show up. The more I attended the meetings and volunteered, the more engaged the school staff became with wanting to know more about autism and introducing programs to uplift their special education students, such as holding their very own Special Olympics.

The more I as a parent became involved, the better opportunities I found to get to know the special education division and various staff working not only for my child but for others as well. My son, Justin, began to meet one IEP goal after another, and we would celebrate it with the school. At times, I remember being honored for my participation by all the children in the classroom.

Parent involvement does not revolve around one child, but all children. Knowing a parent is in the classroom or even donating to the school gives the child a feeling of wanting to strive to do their very best. Unfortunately, sometimes some parents cannot make it to volunteer, but here are six key ways to stay involved and be active in your child’s educational success.

1. Join the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA): This organization is centered around the active participation of parents, teachers, and staff in raising awareness about the importance of building relationships with parents and the community. Each school and district should have a PTA or PTO that meets every month to highlight innovative ways to include all students, parents, and staff.

2. Volunteer: Schools encourage parents to volunteer at least once out of the month. In fact, some school dis- tricts have created a program for parents to volunteer without being sanctioned by their employers. Parents can volunteer with a proper background and tuberculosis (TB) clearance. Please check your local school district’s parent and community division

3. Donate: If you cannot make it to the meeting, ask your child what their classroom or school needs and make it a field trip to go shopping for the school supplies or goodies. Schools will always need supplies, classroom goodies, and even jackets during the winter season. There is nothing more special than seeing your child walk into Sam’s Club or Costco telling you what supplies their class and school need. Doing these special things gives them insight into how amazing a parent you are and how they can contribute.

4. Create a program: Parent involvement is a strong form of inclusion. If you are a parent of a child with a disability, bring awareness to the table. Teach the schools and staff about celebrating Autism Acceptance Month or World Down Syndrome Day. Your voice matters and so do your children. Educate schools about various organizations that uplift and celebrate individuals with special needs. That way you have a seat at the table, and you are not only practicing parent-engagement skills but advocacy skills as well.

5. Create a phone tree: Communication is the key to parent engagement. Create a parent phone tree with the school to know what new and exciting things are happening, and so in case you missed something, who can you reach out to so as to get back on the wagon of helping. Because of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, schools and organizations are creating phone trees and virtual remote meetings to practice inclusion online.

6. Join Coffee with the Principal: Coffee with the Principal is a new program some schools have implemented. Take your child with you to a meeting in person or virtually to discuss how you can become involved, whether reading a book to the classroom online or even helping with the school parking system. There is always something a good parent can help the school with achieving.

A parent’s role goes beyond the home. It is in the schools, on the playground, in the parking lot, and inside the classroom. Whether you are sitting in a school PTO meeting or in the classroom with a teacher preparing arts and crafts for the class activity of the day, parent involvement—your engagement in helping your child—is an example of great parenting and leadership for your child to see. When you, as a parent, play an active role in your child’s education, I guarantee your child will climb mountains, and success will surely follow behind them.

Website: http://meshellbaylor.wixsite.com/website

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