Parent and Family Involvement
What is Parent Involvement?
Research shows that students with parents who are involved in their children's education achieve more.
Exactly what is "parent involvement?" Some parents have the time available to volunteer in a classroom or serve on committees; others have more limited opportunities.
Being involved in your children's education at home is actually the best place to begin.
Be Involved at Home
Research shows that students with parents who are involved in their children's education achieve more.
Exactly what is "parent involvement?" Some parents have the time available to volunteer in a classroom or serve on committees; others have more limited opportunities.
Being involved in your children's education at home is actually the best place to begin.
Be Involved at Home
- Encourage your children to develop a reading habit. Read to or with your children every day. Encourage independent reading and make frequent trips to the library.
- Provide your children with appropriate reading and writing materials.
- Take an interest in your children's schoolwork and activities. Talk about what they are learning, look at papers brought home from school, and help with and/or review homework assignments.
- Designate a workplace for your children, and identify a specific time each day when homework will be completed.
- Communicate with your children's teachers through notes, phone calls, and visits. Be aware of your children's strengths and weaknesses and ask what role you can play to help your children reach their potential.
- Play games that help your children read and practice basic math facts and computations.
- Visit locations such as parks, museums, zoos, colleges and universities, and local landmarks with your children. Provide exposure to activities and experiences to broaden their understanding of the work around them.
- Make learning relevant. Ask your children to do things such as count money, write grocery lists, calculate costs, read menus, read the newspaper, write letters - that require them to use the information they are learning in school.
- Talk to and listen to your children every day.
Be Involved with Your Child's School
- PTA, PTO, PAC, or other parent organizations - Many opportunities exist for parents to serve through parent organizations. Attend meetings to get involved; call your school's office for details.
- School functions - Attend special events such as back to school night, open house, parent/teacher conferences, concerts, and other events. Read your school's newsletter or bulletins or call your school's office for information about special events.
- Parent surveys - Take the time to respond to questionnaires sent to you by your principal. Surveys allow parents opportunities for input and provide valuable feedback to principals.
- Classroom volunteers - Check with your child's teacher to see how you can volunteer in the classroom. If you would like to visit your child's classroom, please notify your principal to make arrangements.
- Need more information? Call your school and talk to the office staff, principal, or your child's teacher. If you want to discuss your child's schoolwork progress, call and arrange an appointment with the teacher.
- Stay in the loop with our free messaging app ParentSquare from Google Play or the Apple App Store.