Beyond the Bake Sale: How Parent Involvement Makes a Difference

Author: Cooper, C.
Publisher: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL)
Publication Date: Fall/Winter 1999
Journal: Learning Point
Full text available online at: http://www.ncrel.org/info/nlp/lpfw99/parinv.htm

Abstract (written by WestEd)

NCREL's Greg Hall is interviewed about issues, trends, and research on parent involvement, which has been shown to be a strong factor in a child's success at school, both academically and behaviorally.

School climate and communication are key factors in succeeding at increasing involvement. Research indicates that parent involvement starts decreasing in fourth grade and dramatically drops off by eighth grade, as parents tend to think they do not need to help their children as they get older. Schools should teach parents that their level of involvement must be maintained, while supporting a change in the type of involvement to a more participatory role.

Administrators must have a concrete plan of proven strategies for reaching out to parents, especially those who, when they were students, had a particularly bad experience. Parents need to be asked about their perceptions of the school, and that information should be compared to the viewpoints of the school staff.

A list of some things schools can do to overcome barriers to parent involvement is provided on the Pathways to School Improvement Internet server, which catalogs some promising programs that can help in this effort.

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Bo De Long-Cotty, Senior Program Associate at WestEd RTEC says, "This research-based resource answers frequently asked questions from teachers about the benefits of parent involvement for school change. Plus, it provides strategies for getting parents involved. Sweet, short, and very helpful."