Parental
Involvement: Needed or not?
Two
assistant professors wrote about parental involvement not being affective in a
child’s education. They stated in a blog
after writing their book The Broken
Compass: Parental Involvement with Children’s Education, that student
achievement is not improved by parents being involved by “observing a child’s
class, contacting a school about a child’s behavior, helping to decide a
child’s high school courses, or helping a child with homework, do not improve
student achievement”.
I
focus on quoting these types of engagement by Professor Harris and Professor
Robinson because I do not constitute those as parent involvement but more as a priority
of a parent. This blog post really upset
me with its focus topic because I know that part of the Head Start grant is
funded by parent engagement; thus, a parent being involved is really important
to me and my current job. It is really
important to find out what works and what hinders child development in their
education.
My
Spanish speaking families at Head Start did not have transportation and the
translator was not always available but I made sure the conversations and
homework were beneficial, in Spanish, and their children were highly motivated
in the class. Lastly, I do agree that “policy
makers should not advocate a one-size-fits-all model of parental involvement”
so what are some specific ways you utilize parents in your classroom? How do they stretch the classroom
expectations in to the home? At the beginning of the year, how do parents feel
about being involved? Teachers feel?
Robinson,
K. & Harris, A. (2014) Parental Involvement Is Overrated. http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/12/parental-involvement-is-overrated/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0
Crystal I agree with you! Parental involvement is so important in a child's success. I so not even understand how anyone could have any other stance.
ReplyDeleteCrystal,
ReplyDeleteI love your post about parent involvement. You are correct parent involvement is not a one-size fits all. Head Start requires parent involvement because the research has proven that it improves student success. They further have tied it to funding to help agencies understand the importance of it. I know from our time together at Residency you were beginning to understand the connection between funding for Head Start and the need for parent involvement. Have you gained more insight? Do you think your Head Start agency does a good job of helping teachers understand parent involvement?
Crystal,
ReplyDeleteParental involvement is such an important aspect to the development of a child. Children spend most of their time with parents and educators. Therefore, it is imperative that these adults work toward helping these children reach their full potential by becoming actively involved in their childrens lives. There is muc research that supports parental involvement and explains the positive effects that it can have on child development. Yet, it seems to continue to dwindle in todays society. It is important that we continue to advocate for this involvement.
Crystal, I agree that parental involvement is critical in child's learning process. I think parents feel overwhelmed, overpowered, and so forth by teachers and their requests. Maybe some of them are uneducated or work full time that they feel helpless. Some of them do not feel they have to be involved in child's education.
ReplyDeleteIn today's world, I think money is stealing parents' time with their children at home, especially during the homework time and any educational-related time.
Chrissy