Crit Refl 2-Parental Involvement

Kim Warga
Multicultural Foundations of Education
Dr. K. King
February 26, 2008
Critical Reflection Project #2

Hot Topic: Parental Involvement in Education

While there are numerous hot topics concerning our education system, I feel that the topic of parental involvement is one facet of education that can be addressed and fixed to make vast strides in the quality of education for our children. The simple issue of having a parents present when helping with homework or in attendance at class meetings may not seem so vital; however, it is something that can make a huge difference in a child’s life.
Many feel that parental involvement in schools provides numerous benefits which allow for a more successful school experience. There have been multiple research studies done that have shown “parents are instrumental to their children’s academic success and that parental involvement has a positive impact on student achievement” (Stewart, 2008, pg. 4). Parental involvement does not only include homework help; other facets of this issue include attendance at teacher conferences and involvement in school activities, such as open houses and social activities” (Stewart, 2008, pg. 5). Johnson and her colleagues (2005) point out that there has been such a drastic decline in parental involvement through past decades, so much in fact, that some theorize public education may not survive the next century. This may be hard to fathom, but “parental support has always been the backbone for public education” and without it, “the schools that lack communication with parents may not survive” (Johnson et al., 2005, pg. 476). School maybe the main place where a child grows a sense of character, but “the most profound impact on students' development comes from their families, notably their parents — whether we look at social, moral, behavioral, or academic development” (Berkowitz & Bier, 2005, pg. 1) These are only a few reasons why parental involvement is important.
Unfortunately, being involved in their children’s scholastic lives is not always easy for some parents. Mothers and fathers that work multiple jobs, have a low socioeconomic status, and fight to make ends meet may not be able to get involved. They may not be neglecting their responsibilities, but rather just unable to do everything that is required of them in just one day (LaBahn, 1995). Other parents “feel un-welcomed at school, lack knowledge and education, and may not feel that education is important” (LaBahn, 1995, pg. 2). Some parents may not speak English or be able to comprehend the school work of their children. This leads to embarrassment and neglect of parental involvement in their child’s lives which lead to less parental involvement in schools.
I think parental involvement is something that is completely beneficial and necessary for a child’s success. We learn and grow from our parents; when our children go off to school, parental care is needed more than ever. Parental involvement helps guide a child and make them better individuals. As said earlier, a child with involved parents ends up achieving higher grades academically, does a better job of communicating, has better morals, etc. Parents help to shape their child’s character. Obviously, parental involvement is necessary but is not always easy. There are many preoccupations and responsibilities parents face. Schools need to promote programs that help guide parents enforce communication and involvement. These “how to’s” can make a parent want to become more involved and take pressures away, putting parents more at ease. At the same time, companies need to keep in mind that children are the future of our world. There needs to be higher pay and more flexible hours for parents with school aged children. These times are monumental and can easily make or break a child. Communication is necessary for the prosperity of schools and school communities. Not only do the parents need to make an effort with the desire of their children to do well, the principal and teachers also have to make strong efforts to communicate to parents how important they are and beneficial they can be to a child’s scholastic life.


References:
LaBahn, J. (1995). Education and parental involvement in secondary schools: Problems, solutions, and effects. Educational Psychology Interactive, 20, 120-126.
Johnson, J. A., Musial, D, Hall, G.E., Gollnick, D. M., & Dupuis, V. L. (2005). Introduction to the foundations of American education. 14th ed. Boston: Pearson Education.
Stewart, E.B. (2008). School structural characteristics, student effort, peer associations, and parental involvement: The influence of school and individual level factors on academic achievement. Education and Urban Society, 40, 179-204.


Berkowitz, M.W. & Bier, M.C. (2008). Character education: Parents as partners. Educational Leadership, 63(1), 64-69.