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Posted by:
Robert (Sandy) Goodlett
State admin/coordinator
Lawrenceburg, KY
Topic:
Student Achievement
Message:
As a teacher and administrator in both public and private high
schools, I have observed the positive effect of parent and community involvement in a students life. The effect of involvement appears to work at two levels. The first is that the student knows that someone is interested in what they are doing. The second is that the involvement often makes the education process more meaningful in a real work setting. The primary problem is getting parents and community involved in a middle or high school students life in a meaningful and non-judgemental way.
One of the biggest deterrents in getting the involvement from external sources is the reluctance that school staff have for such involvement. It is easier and safer to be in total control of the education setting. Having parents and community folk "messing around" in education is both threating and difficult.
The mechanism that appears to have much promise in mentoring. I have seen mentoring programs, both formal and informal, that have made a difference in the education of middle and high school youth. While this does not get at the problem of parent involvement it does put a caring adult in the life on many students who think they have none. Such programs are often linked to community through business and industry, so a student gets the benefit of a mentor and an opportunity for job shadowing or other involvement.
To get parents involved school faculty and administrators are going to have to change the culture of the school. It will have to be made a welcoming atmosphere where parents are invited at times other that when their child is in trouble. It really must become a part of the work of the school. Increasingly more middle and secondary schools are developing a PTA or PTA like programs to increase involvement. Also, many schools organize parents around interest areas such as athletics and band. The task is to get parents interested in curriculum and learning.
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