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By involving parents in their children's education we tap knowledge and resources that we can not afford to ignore. Parents know their children and their children's situations far better than we can ever hope to. Parents are their children's first and most important teachers. If schools are to successfully educate students, they must reach out to parents and include them in their children's education.
Epstein (1997) recommends that in addition to parent-teacher organizations and committees, schools must make plans for how the school can communicate with families and involve them in a variety of ways. We must find ways to effectively communicate with all families no matter what their educational, cultural, or economic circumstances. Parents of all backgrounds value their children and want them to succeed.
We can begin to foster relationships with families by helping parents feel comfortable with the school, demonstrating we value their input, and providing a wide range of ways for parents to be involved with the school. As our rapport with children and their parents grows, so will our ability to successfully engage children in school. If we are to help students achieve academically while attending to their social, emotional, and physical needs, we must include their parents in meaningful ways. Parents and schools will become partners in student achievement. |
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