School Strategies

The Child Development Project (1994) suggests the following ways that schools can increase parent involvement:

• "Conduct an initial needs assessment through surveys, interviews, orientation and brainstorming meetings, phone calls, social gatherings, or other forums--and ask parents what they would like to see happen at the school.

• Send home several different and inviting announcements, letters, and brief reminders about each event.

• Translate print materials for families with limited English proficiency.

• Initiate a personal outreach plan. Ask parents to volunteer to call other parents and extend a personal invitation to an upcoming event, or ask each family to call another family and bring them to an upcoming event.

• Establish a parents' room or lounge that is the hub of information for parents. Encourage parent volunteers to create a welcoming environment, provide coffee, and establish a schedule of informal gatherings.

• Prepare a family newsletter that goes home with students every month.

• Involve parent volunteers in all initial planning for activities and events; ask for their input, suggestions, and assistance.

• Provide on-site translation for parents with limited English proficiency.

• Provide child care for parents with younger children.

• Provide food or snacks as part of activities for families.

• Invite individual parents to play specific roles and become actively involved in planning and organizing activities at the school.

• Make sure that you do not impose anything on parents.

• Offer information, workshops, and support for parents to help them learn more about what goes on in school and how they can reinforce what is being learned at school, both academically and socially.

• Consider the makeup of your parent population and create a wide variety of culturally appropriate opportunities for parents to become involved.

• Use teacher conferences as conversations with parents, not one-way reports.

• Offer parents many ways to experience what it's like to be in a caring community of learners." (p. 134)

References