Fostering Student Achievement by Involving Parents in Academic Pursuits
Schools can foster strong parent-teacher relationships and improve student outcomes by implementing a multi-faceted approach to parental engagement. This strategy includes developing a robust parent engagement plan, providing clear and consistent communication, offering parent education workshops, inviting parent participation, using culturally responsive and inclusive communication, and creating informal dialogue opportunities.
One key aspect of this approach is the development of a parent engagement strategy that caters to modern family dynamics and generational preferences. By understanding and addressing barriers to involvement, schools can create an inclusive, welcoming environment that values all families [1].
Clear and consistent communication is another essential element. Schools can use various platforms such as emails, newsletters, text messages, social media, and apps like ClassDojo or ParentSquare to keep parents informed. Regular weekly check-ins help maintain open dialogue, with feedback loops that emphasize both positive news and areas for support [2][4].
Offering parent education workshops on curriculum, teaching methods, and topics relevant to child development and wellbeing is another powerful tool. These workshops equip parents with the knowledge and confidence to support their children's learning at home [2].
Inviting parent participation and leadership, such as volunteering, sharing skills, giving input during planning phases, and engaging in school events, fosters a sense of ownership and partnership. This approach encourages active involvement in educational initiatives [3][5].
Using culturally responsive and inclusive communication materials and strategies ensures all families feel valued and respected, thus increasing engagement [3]. Schools can also provide hands-on tools and resources like home learning packs, lending libraries, and interactive parent-child projects to strengthen parent-child-school connections [5].
Creating informal, consistent opportunities for dialogue beyond formal conferences, such as text message check-ins or virtual events, accommodates busy schedules and encourages ongoing interaction [4].
Workshops on educational tools, such as interactive learning websites and educational software, provide parents with knowledge about digital tools that can support their children's learning [6]. Organizing parent support groups creates a space for sharing experiences and strategies among families, strengthening community ties and promoting active participation in educational initiatives [7].
Research shows that parental involvement positively affects academic achievement [8]. Schools can leverage community resources, such as libraries, museums, and youth organizations, to offer parents opportunities to participate in interactive learning experiences for their children [9]. Effective parent-teacher communication can lead to improved student outcomes [10].
Engaging parents in education refers to the active involvement of parents in their child's learning process and school environment. Involving parents in school activities serves as a pivotal mechanism for fostering a collaborative educational environment [11]. By combining these efforts, schools build trust, mutual respect, and collaboration with parents, which nurtures a supportive educational community [1][2][3][4][5].
Parents can further support their child's education through e-learning opportunities, as schools can organize internet-based workshops on digital tools like interactive learning websites and educational software. Additionally, schools can promote education-and-self-development by offering online parent education seminars on topics related to child development and wellbeing, strengthening parent-child-school connections in a digital age.
