Parental Involvement in Education Insights and Applications from the

Research

Most parents recognize the benefits of being involved in their children's education, but many seem not to know how to do so in a productive way. Utah State University researchers Melanie R. Scott Stein and Ron J. Thorkildsen describe studies that clarify what parents should be doing and identify obstacles that impede productive parent involvement.

The authors say research shows that helping parents feel welcome in the school is an important step toward positive parental-involvement. Parent-teacher conferences can be more welcoming by accommodating parents' schedules, giving good News and suggesting ways for parents to get involved at school. For instance, parent volunteers can get involved at school. Offering childcare and bus transportation to school events can bring in parents with financial and time constraints. And research shows home visits can be helpful especially for new residents, immigrants, and low-income families.

Research also shows how schools sometimes, albeit inadvertently, discourage parent involvement. Parents with limited English skills might have difficulty reading school publications and parents who had stressful experiences as students themselves might feel uncomfortable in school.

When parents feel more comfortable at school, they're more likely to increase their involvement. And involvement carries many benefits. Parents who volunteer to do photocopying, for instance, learn about schools and free up teachers to plan and work with students. So Stein and Thorkildsen do educators, parents, and students a service by clarifying what research shows about bringing parents into schools.

Reviewed by :

Diane S. Reed

Doctoral student at the University of Virginia

3715 Merlin Way

Annandale, VA 22003

(703) 698-1008

dreed@virginia.edu