Parental Involvement In Education example essay topic

561 words
Parental involvement in education is a vital essential for creating a cooperative environment for the student to thrive and succeed in. When a student knows that he or she is receiving support both inside and outside the school, the chances of that child becoming responsible for and active in their education are more likely. I know that there can be difficulties including parents for many reasons. Such parents may be too busy, uninterested or just feel helpless. However, as an educator, I will still have an obligation to reach out to these parents and assist them. It is important to start the year off making parental involvement a top priority.

Establishing clear and open lines with the parent early in the year lays the foundation for successful communications later. This can be done in many different ways, such as with a phone call, an email, or a letter mailed or sent home via the students. When the first instance of communication is positive, it will aid in setting a positive tone for parental involvement throughout the whole school year. After the initial contact, communication should remain constant. Also, remember that if all of the communication is about solving problems, the parent may feel attacked. Therefore, all communication should reflect concerns as well as successes and accomplishments regarding the child.

Dialogue between the parent and teacher should be cooperative, helpful, and meaningful. Both parties should sit down, listen, and respond to what the other is saying. Everyone must always remember that the ultimate goal at hand is the success of the student. Once there is a clear and open path for communication, it is important to make the communication meaningful. Often parents aren't involved because they are not aware of ways that they can help. Keeping parents informed of upcoming tests, projects, homework assignments, and areas of study give them some knowledge about what is going on and also makes them feel like they are capable of helping and can be an asset to their child's education.

It may also be helpful to suggest ways that parents can aid their child in preparing and studying for tests. Helping parents feel useful creates an essential cooperative learning environment. It is also important to go beyond parental involvement in your classroom. It is also necessary to help foster a community that supports and is also active in the local schools. There are a variety of methods for accomplishing this goal: ask community leaders to lead projects in the school or come in to talk on career day, or sponsor an ice-cream night at the school and invite all the children, parents, and community members for a social gathering.

As a teacher, I could also call the local newspaper to ensure that the student's accomplishments, successes, and / or talents are recognized by the community. A student needs every means of support available to ensure that they succeed and prosper in the classroom and, even more importantly, in life. When there are strong support mechanisms for the children, it is more difficult for them to fall through the cracks. Parents are an essential part of the whole process and they should be recognized and incorporated in their child's education.