Academic performance
For parents, engagement fosters a greater understanding of their child’s learning needs and how to support them effectively. According to the ERO findings, parental engagement has a positive impact on average of 4 months’ additional progress. The findings showed a marked improvement in school achievement for young primary school students who were reported to be regularly reading with a parent at home.
Communication
There is some evidence in the research that regular communication of individual learning can promote positive interactions. School communication apps such as Seesaw connect parents directly to their child’s learning and allow them to feedback on their child’s work with minimal time cost to teachers. Alerts from Seesaw allow even the busiest parents an opportunity to connect with and celebrate their child’s learning.
In addition to their child’s learning conversations throughout the year, parents can also communicate directly with teachers via email. Some parents have also said that they appreciate the opportunity to meet with teachers before or after class to discuss specific learning or behavioural challenges their child may be facing at school.
Sharing learning resources
Based on their research findings the ERO recommends considering what support schools can give to parents to ensure any home learning is of a high standard. For example, providing practical strategies with tips, support and resources to assist learning at home may be more beneficial to student outcomes than simply gifting a book to students or asking parents to provide generic help to their children.
Strengthening community connections
There are some very helpful ways that parents can volunteer in the classroom. Some parents help younger children with spelling and art projects. Encouraging parents to share their skills with the class, provides a uniquely enriching learning experience. The Garden to Table programme continues to engage parents and whānau in a number of schools throughout Aotearoa, providing cooperative, hands-on learning.
Events are one of the most effective ways to foster engagement because they bring people together in a shared experience. From casual gatherings to formal presentations, events provide a platform for interaction, collaboration and celebration.
From parent-teacher evenings, sports days, performances and art shows to student formals, school fetes, school camps, parent workshops and community fundraisers – there are many ways to create and foster partnerships between parents and teachers.
Frequent, inclusive events ensure that even the most disengaged and busy families find ways to connect with the school. This leads to higher overall participation and a more vibrant school community.
Student and parent engagement is vital for creating a thriving school community. While disengagement can lead to communication gaps and lower performance, events offer a powerful solution by fostering connections and strengthening relationships. By investing in events, schools can reap the benefits of a more engaged community and improved learning outcomes for students.
