Reaching Parents and Community: Strategies for Involving Hard-To-Reach Parents

Strategies for Involving Hard-To-Reach Parents

Understanding Stakeholder Involvement

Schools reporting success in reaching hard-to-reach parents (those who do not attend school events regardless of any efforts or invitations) are succeeding by "taking the schools to the community." Hard-to-reach parents are not confined to metropolitan areas, ethnic groups or socioeconomic levels. They are found in all types of school districts.

Some strategies that may work include:

Ask a person who is respected among the group to host an informal social time in their home with the purpose of getting to know the principal/superintendent. Dress down and show up with positive news that you want to share with the group about what's happening at school. Your "agenda" is to try and have a positive, interpersonal interaction with each person. Try and learn one unique thing about each parent personally—strive to make connections. Keep your formal presentation to a minimum and allow plenty of time for a more informal question and answer time. Be as open and honest as possible in responding. Invite participants to help brainstorm ideas for solving challenging issues facing the district.
Be available at local sites. Ask the administrative team in your district to commit to two hours each month to make themselves available in the community at places parents typically gather (think local "hot spots" like the coffee shop, grocery store, etc.) Announce ahead of time that you will be there (be sure to get the permission of the business owner) and want to meet parents and answer questions.
Ask for the help from clergy. Work with clergy in setting up opportunities for parents and community residents to talk about the schools and ways to help students. Ask the clergy for support and suggestions in reaching key groups in the congregation that you haven't been successful in reaching previously.
Develop a key communicator network of key opinion leaders in the community—including representatives of those groups that you've been previously unsuccessful in reaching. The purpose of the network is to have a key group of individuals that you can turn to for input and information dissemination when issues arise. Meet with the group ahead of time and explain their role. Make a special effort to include representation from disenfranchised groups.
Have someone "shop" your school. Invite five people you know from outside your community to come and "shop" your school building posing as a new parent. Ask them to report back to you their experiences and perceptions beginning with the first person who greets them and including the perceptions they have of the physical grounds and facilities. Gather the feedback and sit down with staff to discuss improvements where needed.

Source: Adapted from the School Communications Workshop Kit; National School Public Relations Association

Reaching Parents and Community