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Why Schools Should Encourage Parental Involvement in Education

Why Schools Should Encourage Parental Involvement in Education

It is no secret that parental involvement in a child’s education leads to better academic outcomes. In the Philippines, however, parental involvement in education is often limited to financial support. Schools can play a role in encouraging parental involvement in their child’s education by providing opportunities for parents to be involved in the school community and communicate effectively with parents.

Parental involvement has been linked to higher grades, improved test scores, and increased graduation rates. In the Philippines, however, parental involvement in education is often limited to financial support. A study by the Asian Development Bank found that only 22% of Filipino parents are involved in their child’s schooling, compared to the regional average of 38%. In another study of low-income Filipino parents, only 42% believed education was necessary for their child’s future success. This highlights the need for schools to communicate the importance of education to parents better.

There are several potential reasons why parental involvement in education is often low in the Philippines:

  1. Lack of financial support from the government. Many parents cannot afford to send their children to school or to pay for other educational expenses.
  2. Many parents may not see the value of education and view it as a waste of time.
  3. Parents may not know how they can help their children with their studies.
  4. Parents may be reluctant to get involved in their child’s education because they do not want to be seen as interfering.
  5. Many parents did not have the opportunity to finish their education and may feel intimidated by the school environment.
  6. Many parents often have to work long hours to make ends meet. This makes it difficult for them to attend school functions or to help their children with homework.
  7. Some parents may not be able to read or write themselves, so they are not able to help their children with schoolwork.
  8. Many parents are unaware of how significant their involvement in their children’s education can be.

Despite the challenges, some parents are highly involved in their children’s education. These parents often make sacrifices to ensure their children have the necessary resources to succeed in school. They may work extra hours to pay for tutoring or school supplies. They may also attend school functions and help their children with homework. By being involved in their children’s education, these parents are helping to set their children up for success.

What Can Schools Do to Encourage Parental Involvement in Education

There are several things that schools can do to encourage parental involvement in education. These efforts will help ensure that parents are involved in their child’s education and that students have the support they need to succeed in school. 

  1. Create a welcoming and inclusive environment. Parents should feel welcome in the school and like they are a part of the community. They should also feel that their input is valued.
  2. Make it easy for parents to get involved. One of the best ways to encourage parental involvement is to make it as easy as possible for parents to be involved. This means providing opportunities for parents to volunteer in the classroom, attend school events, and participate in decision-making processes.
  3. Communicate regularly with parents. Parents should be kept up-to-date on what is happening in the school and what their child is learning. This communication should be two-way so that parents feel like they can ask questions and give feedback.
  4. Provide resources and information to parents about how they can support their child’s education. This might include parent workshops, academic resources, and even just information about the school and how it works.
  5. Involve parents in decision-making processes. This can help parents to feel more invested in the school and to have a say in the decisions that are being made about their child’s education. Many schools have parent-teacher organizations that meet regularly to discuss school-related issues. Including parents in these discussions is a great way to encourage parental involvement. 
  6. Provide training and support for parents. Many parents want to be involved in their child’s education but feel like they don’t have the necessary skills or knowledge. Schools can help by providing training and support for parents on topics such as effective parenting, working with children with special needs, and helping children with their homework.
  7. Offer flexible scheduling. Parents’ schedules are often hectic, so schools need to offer flexible scheduling options for parental involvement. This could include evening and weekend events and opportunities to participate remotely.
  8. Recognize and celebrate parental involvement. Schools need to recognize and celebrate parental involvement. This can be done through public announcements, awards, and other forms of recognition.

Parental involvement in education is critical to a child’s success in school. There are many things that schools can do to encourage parental involvement, and the eight suggestions above are just a few of the most important.

By taking these steps, schools can create an environment that is welcoming and supportive of parental involvement in education. When parents are involved in their child’s schooling, everyone benefits.

What Are the Benefits of Parental Involvement for the School

There are many benefits of parental involvement for the school. Some of these benefits include:

  1. Increased student achievement
  2. Improved school climate
  3. Enhanced communication between home and school
  4. Greater sense of community
  5. Increased teacher satisfaction
  6. More support for school programs
  7. Greater accountability
  8. Improved use of resources
  9. Increased parent satisfaction
  10. Greater involvement of parents in their child’s education
  11. Increased sense of ownership
  12. More positive attitudes towards school
  13. Greater sense of responsibility
  14. More support for school policies
  15. Greater involvement of parents in decision making
  16. Increased transparency
  17. Greater sense of partnership
  18. More support for school fundraising
  19. Greater involvement of parents in school activities

Final Thoughts

One of the key goals of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is to improve parental involvement in education. Increasing the 4Ps grant can help to achieve this goal by giving parents additional resources to support their children’s education. For example, parents may use the additional funds to pay for school supplies or uniforms or to cover transportation costs to and from school. In addition, increasing the 4Ps grant may also motivate parents to become more involved in their children’s education by demonstrating a commitment to their child’s future. In turn, this can help break the poverty cycle and improve the overall well-being of families and communities.

The Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, seeks to provide free tuition and miscellaneous fees in all state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges and state-run technical-vocational institutions in the Philippines. This can increase parental involvement in education because they will not have to worry about their child’s education costs. Additionally, the Act requires establishing a Student Financial Assistance System that will provide need-based grants-in-aid to students enrolled in tertiary education. This can also help increase parental involvement because they will know that their child is receiving financial assistance to help pay for their education.

Lastly, the Department of Education (DepEd) can provide resources and information to parents to help them understand the importance of their involvement in their children’s education.

As a teacher, what can you do to encourage parental involvement in your school? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why should schools encourage parental involvement in education?

There are many reasons why schools should encourage parental involvement in education. Parental involvement can lead to higher student achievement, better behavior in school, and improved communication between the school and the home. Additionally, parental involvement can provide valuable resources and support for the school.

What are the benefits of parental involvement in education?

There are many benefits of parental involvement in education. Parents can provide support and encouragement at home, help with homework, and be involved in school activities. Parental involvement can also help improve communication between home and school and promote a positive relationship between parents and teachers.

How can parental involvement in education improve student achievement?

There are many ways that parental involvement in education can improve student achievement. Some of these ways include:

1. Helping children with their homework and providing them with a quiet place to study
2. Encouraging children to read at home
3. Talking to children about their school day and their progress in school
4. Attending school functions and getting to know the teachers and staff
5. Volunteering in the classroom or on school committees
6. Staying involved in your child’s education as they progress through their schooling
7. Helping to create a positive home learning environment
8. Encouraging a love of learning in your children

In what ways can schools encourage parental involvement in education?

There are many ways that schools can encourage parental involvement in education. Some ways include providing information nights for parents, inviting parents to participate in school activities, sending home regular updates on student progress, and having an open door policy for parents to come in and talk with teachers.

How can parental involvement in education help to close the achievement gap?

One way parental involvement in education can help to close the achievement gap is by providing support at home. This can be by helping with homework, providing a quiet place to study, or being available to answer questions. Parental involvement can also help by ensuring children have the necessary resources, such as books, school supplies, and a safe place to live and learn. Finally, parental involvement can help to close the achievement gap by modeling and encouraging positive behavior, such as regular school attendance and a strong work ethic.

What role does parental involvement play in student success?

There is a great deal of research that suggests that parental involvement is critical to student success. Generally, students whose parents are more involved in their education tend to have better grades and test scores and are more likely to graduate from senior high school.

What impact does parental involvement have on student motivation?

Parental involvement has a significant impact on student motivation. When parents are actively involved in their child’s education, the child is more likely to be motivated to succeed. When parents are supportive and involved, the child feels a sense of importance and value. This encourages the child to work hard and do their best. Parental involvement also provides the child with a role model to follow. Seeing their parents actively involved in their education can inspire the child to do the same.

How can parental involvement in education promote students’ positive social and emotional development?

Parental involvement in education can promote positive social and emotional development in students in several ways:

1. Parents can help their children develop positive social skills by modeling appropriate behavior and encouraging their children to interact with other children in positive ways.
2. Parents can help their children develop positive emotional skills by teaching them how to cope with emotions, providing support and encouragement, and helping them to create a positive outlook on life.
3. Parents can promote positive social and emotional development in students by connecting them with resources and opportunities to help them grow and develop in healthy and positive ways.

What are some ways that parents can get involved in their child’s education?

There are several ways that parents can get involved in their child’s education. They can attend school functions and meetings, help with homework, talk to teachers, and work with the child on areas that need improvement.

Why is it important for parents to be involved in their child’s education?

There are many reasons why parents should be involved in their child’s education. One reason is that parental involvement can lead to higher achievement for children. When parents are involved in their child’s education, they can help ensure their child gets the best education possible. Another reason parents should be involved in their child’s education is that it can help build a stronger relationship between the parent and child. When parents are involved in their child’s education, they can help to foster a sense of trust and communication between the parent and child. This can help to make the parent-child relationship stronger and more supportive.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Llego, M. A. (2022, September 4). Why Schools Should Encourage Parental Involvement in Education. TeacherPH. Retrieved September 4, 2022 from, https://www.teacherph.com/schools-encourage-parental-involvement-education/

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Mark Anthony Llego

Mark Anthony Llego, a visionary from the Philippines, founded TeacherPH in October 2014 with a mission to transform the educational landscape. His platform has empowered thousands of Filipino teachers, providing them with crucial resources and a space for meaningful idea exchange, ultimately enhancing their instructional and supervisory capabilities. TeacherPH's influence extends far beyond its origins. Mark's insightful articles on education have garnered international attention, featuring on respected U.S. educational websites. Moreover, his work has become a valuable reference for researchers, contributing to the academic discourse on education.

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