Parental Involvement in Education

Parental Involvement

Parent Involvement has been an issue in the United States since before the turn of the

nineteenth century (Wallace). “Parent Involvement” and “parent participation” are nebulous terms because there is an array of parenting behaviors that this could include (Hickman). Either way you define it, parents must get involved. What many parents consider ‘being involved’ varies from family to family. No one is better placed or more qualified than parents to make a difference in their child’s academic and lifelong education (Bourquin). Parents are the vast resource that must be tapped to increase student learning (Hickman).

Parents are their child’s first teacher. The elementary age is the most crucial time for

parents to get involved in their child’s education. Nothing affects the academic outcome for a child as much as the involvement of a parent (Bourquin). Mom and Dad are the most influential position to shape their child’s future. Parents have a greater opportunity to make a difference, teach, model and guide their children’s learning more than anyone else (Bourquin). Involvement allows parents to communicate with teachers about their child’s learning style and characteristics.

This allows teachers to do a better job teaching the child, giving them a better opportunity for success (Heffer).

The support of a parent is the single most important factor in predicting success in school for young children (Bourquin). Parents who make it a point to get involved with the child’s education are communicating the importance of education to their child (Heffer). There are a variety of ways in which a parent can get involved. This can range from at home help and encouragement with homework, attending athletic ...

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...e parents explaining what is going on in the classroom and upcoming events that parents can attend. (Hopkings)

Parent involvement affects all aspects of a child’s education. Parents must be involved as teachers, learners, supporters, and advocates of their child’s learning (Hopkings). Studies show that kids who know that their parents are involved and interested tend to take more responsibility for their own learning and behavior. Schoolwork and grades improve. Work habits improve. Less work is handed in late. Fewer referrals for behavior problems are made. Attendance increases, and fewer kids show up late for class (Hopkings). With all this information documented it shows the true importance of parent involvement in education. The more involved the parents are, the better off each child will be. So when you become a parent, get involved in your child’s education!