1. Evaluate parent involvement data from previous school year (i.e. attendance at parent/teacher conferences, attendance at orientations, frequency and number of parent phone calls/emails/etc.
2. Set up a Facebook (or other social networking site) account accessible to students and parents.
3. Host Freshman Orientation for upcoming ninth grade students and parents.
4. Compose and distribute monthly parent newsletters.
5. Hosting monthly “parenting” classes.
6. Hold bi-quarterly parent/teacher conference evenings.
7. Establish a parent volunteer system.
8. Evaluate parent involvement data from the 2010-2011 school year (i.e. attendance at parent/teacher conferences, attendance at orientations, frequency and number of parent phone calls/emails/etc.
This topic is great. At my campus there is not a lot of parent involvement, and the parents who are involved are the same ones that do everything. We've been working very hard to get more parent involvement as our district leaders feel it is important for the students, school and community for parents to be involved in their child's education.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like your idea of creating a facebook profile for the parents. This can help by stimulating parents who are on facebook to look at the profile to find out what is happening. Freshman orientation is a huge turn out for us, as we try to have "entertainment" while there. I look forward to reading more about your research toward the end of our program with Lamar.
I'm really replying to your discussion board post, relating to ideas about contacting hard to reach parents. Even if the parents are hard to reach, the kids are usually there. We've had (a little) luck getting in touch with those parents by holding report cards. I've also had some luck sending home handwritten cards/notes personally inviting those parents and addressing their particular concerns - after quizzing my student/their child on the objection to showing up. Have them bring the little ones, arrange transportation, babysitting, snacks, translators, whatever it takes.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!