Supporting Learning Is Parent Involvement

“Parent involvement” means different things to parents in different circumstances. Schools tend to think that if a parent is “involved” that they show up for every function, they support every fundraiser, they serve on the PTA, and they help make copies for their teacher every week. This definition is too narrow.

The 23rd District PTA recently quoted Ken Young, the Riverside County Superintendent, as saying that an even deeper problem than the economy is the “growing lack of parental involvement in and support of the education of their children. That is our real number one problem.”

I'm not sure that I agree with this (even though he signs my paycheck), but at the same time I know that increasing involvement is a big part of the answer. How can a parent in each of these situations be actively involved at Emerson?
A single parent who works two jobs
Grandparents who thought they were finished raising kids
Spanish (or other language)-speaking parents who may not fully understand our school system
Divorced parents who are struggling with custody issues
Two-parent household, who commute and arrive home late every night

After talking with Sandy Ramirez, Emerson’s PTA President, I began to think about how even small, daily and seemingly insignificant actions can add up. She stated, “It is easy to be involved. It does not have to be over-taxing. It can be fun, easy and rewarding.” Take small steps every day to support learning.

If all a parent can do is to make sure that their child has eaten breakfast and arrives to school on time, then that may really be all that the parent can do that day. Emerson accepts and appreciates all levels of involvement. But oftentimes more can be added. Scheduling a routine time and place to review homework with your child is a rewarding way to connect with both your child and with the school. If your child knows how important school is to you it is much more important than how many school activities you attend.

What can be done to support (and increase) parent involvement? Please share your ideas by clicking on the word "comment" below.