When you review any literature on the effects of parent engagement in schools, the main points include increased student achievement, more regular attendance at school, greater graduation rates and increased confidence. At what time are these factors more important than in secondary school when our children are facing their most challenging times in school and are working towards their graduation from the secondary level while preparing for the next step in their lives.
Unfortunately, research shows that parent engagement at school and at home declines at this stage in a child’s education.
It is sometimes a difficult time for parents to stay involved because children begin a new chapter in their lives where they want to be more independent and often don’t want to have their parents present at the school. They will tell us that they are embarrassed if their friends see their parent at school or their parent is actively involved with their teachers. This is a time when we have to put aside what our children may say and GET INVOLVED.
Often, when a parent becomes involved in the school council, the positive work of the council and its support of the students in the school changes the child’s concern about having their parent volunteering as part of the council. Whether the school council funds a trip, provides a speaker for the student body or invests in new computer equipment for the tech lab; their work is recognized as a valuable asset by the student body and can be something their child feels proud of. It can be something as simple as providing tables of treats on special occasions like Halloween, Valentine’s Day or Christmas.
Engage the parent community
It is a time to engage the parent community in events which include topics like “supporting your child’s transition to high school”, “building academic confidence in an adolescent”, “beyond secondary school, the path to work, college and university”, etc.
It is important for school council leaders to communicate with the parent community the message that parent involvement is crucial. Ongoing communication and regular agenda items for school council meetings providing tips for parents on how to effectively engage with their children in areas of homework assistance, supporting their child by attending school events, participating in teacher conferences, how to support their child’s goals, how children learn differently etc., will assist in increasing parent involvement at your secondary school.
What does the research say?
Researcher Simon (1999) found that although study habits, attitudes and behaviour patterns may be set by a student’s senior year an adolescent’s success is influenced by his or her family even through the last year of high school. This research aligns with many other studies of a similar nature and signifies the importance of parents staying engaged in their children’s education through to post-secondary school.
Research also indicates that the same barriers to parents being involved in elementary school continue to be true in the secondary panel. Low income, single parent, lower educated, language challenged families engage at a much lower percentage than other parents. The challenge for every secondary school council is to find creative ways to address these issues and work in conjunction with the school administrators to present strategies for parents to become educational partners with their children and the school. It is difficult to determine how to get parents into the school so that you can begin spreading the message about the importance of parent involvement. Perhaps consider speaking at an event such as a school performance or parent-teacher interview evening. You may consider working with the school administration and teachers to host a multi- cultural night with families providing a dish and information on their home country. This is an excellent opportunity for the students to learn and for parents to meet on a more casual basis. It is a great time for current school council members to circulate and discuss upcoming meetings or events that will focus on issues that are a priority for the school community.
The message that our children need us even more in secondary school will be one that may surprise many parents, but hopefully will encourage them to participate more actively in their children’s education and school.
Find this article interesting?
If you like this article be sure to share it with other parents and school councils. Please use the share buttons above and below this article. Get a copy of our monthly e-newsletter. It is filled with tons of articles with advice and tips to help your parent council to be more engaging. Be sure to subscribe to it by clicking here.
