How Can Schools Engage Parents in Education?
Engaging parents in education is crucial for student success, so we sought the expertise of educators and school administrators to share their effective methods. From fostering a home-school connection to empathizing and holding parents accountable, discover the top five strategies provided by professionals like an Educator-Founder and a Principal.
- Foster Home-School Connection
- Send Regular, Concise Updates
- Communicate and Partner with Parents
- Establish Open Communication Channels
- Empathize and Hold Parents Accountable
Foster Home-School Connection
Drawing from my perspective both as a teacher and a parent, I understand the importance of fostering a strong connection between home and school. At the elementary level, creating a welcoming atmosphere and encouraging parental involvement lays a strong foundation for the home-school connection. Parents are often eager to contribute during these formative years. However, workshops and regular communication can be implemented across all grade levels. Offering workshops, both in-person and virtually, accommodates busy schedules, ensuring accessibility for all parents. Regular communication through a single newsletter or app streamlines information dissemination, reducing confusion and keeping parents informed and up to date with school activities. Additionally, hosting events such as art exhibits showcasing student work or multicultural days where parents are invited to share in the festivities of celebrating different cultures further strengthens the bond between home and school. By incorporating these initiatives, schools can effectively engage parents in their child’s education, fostering a supportive environment conducive to academic success.
Tina Salmanowitz
Educator – Founder of Lmu, Little Monsters Universe
Send Regular, Concise Updates
A smart way to keep families in the loop is to send short, sweet, and regular updates. The idea is to build relationships as much as you can. The best teaching happens when you and your pupils’ families are a team.
Emails are great because they can be picked up by the reader at any hour of the day. Plus, you can create templates to save time, and even use the BCC function to send the same update to lots of families in one go. Phone calls work too, if they’re preferred, but emails are more time-efficient.
Updates should be 100% dedicated to sharing news about what you’re teaching, as well as celebrating any achievements in your class. Maybe your class settled in really well, or everyone did well on your latest test or quiz.
Think of it like a monthly or quarterly newsletter. The more you do it, the more you’ll see families getting involved, wanting to know more.
Adam Morris
Content Executive, Twinkl
Communicate and Partner with Parents
Effectively engaging parents in their children’s education requires open and consistent communication, along with a sense of partnership. From my experience as a psychotherapist, ensuring parents feel heard and respected is essential. Regular updates through various channels and encouraging parents to share their concerns foster trust and allow for tailored educational approaches. This collaborative effort empowers parents and enhances the support system for children, leading to improved educational outcomes.
Kristie Tse
Founder & Therapist, Uncover Mental Health Counseling
Establish Open Communication Channels
An effective method for engaging parents in education is to establish regular, open communication channels between the school and families. This can be achieved through various means:
Parent-Teacher Conferences: Schedule regular meetings to discuss student progress, address concerns, and set goals. These conferences provide a platform for two-way communication, fostering collaboration.
Newsletters and Emails: Send out weekly or monthly newsletters and emails updating parents on school events, classroom activities, and important dates. Keeping parents informed helps them feel connected and involved.
Workshops and Seminars: Organize workshops and seminars on topics such as effective parenting strategies, supporting homework routines, and understanding the curriculum. These sessions equip parents with tools to support their children’s learning at home.
School Events and Activities: Invite parents to participate in school events, volunteer opportunities, and extracurricular activities. Engaging parents in school life helps build a sense of community and partnership.
Online Platforms: Utilize online platforms and apps that allow parents to monitor their child’s academic progress, attendance, and upcoming assignments. Providing access to this information empowers parents to take an active role in their child’s education.
Feedback Mechanisms: Implement feedback mechanisms, such as surveys and suggestion boxes, to gather parents’ input on school policies, programs, and their child’s educational experience. Valuing and acting on parental feedback demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement.
By fostering open communication, offering educational resources, and encouraging active participation, schools can effectively engage parents in their child’s education, leading to improved student outcomes and a stronger school community.
Sister Maria Rashmi A.C.
Owner, Patna Women’s College
Empathize and Hold Parents Accountable
An effective method for engaging parents is to empathize with their struggles while simultaneously holding them accountable for their student’s progress. Communicating with parents on their schedule and via a reachable modality (usually emails and text messages) to keep them informed helps with consistent engagement. It provides a feeling of engagement for them, even when they may not be actively engaged until they feel the need to be.
Christopher Golston
Principal, Desert Rose Academy
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