Parent Involvement
National PTA has identified National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs. These six standards* are targeted to lead and engage successful parent and family involvement.
- Standard I Communicating
Communication between home and school is regular, two-way, and meaningful. - Standard II Parenting
Parenting skills are promoted and supported. - Standard III Student Learning
Parents play an integral role in assisting in student learning. - Standard IV Volunteering
Parents are welcome in the school, and their support and assistance are sought. - Standard V School Decision Making and Advocacy
Parents are full partners in the decisions that affect children and families. - Standard VI Collaborating with Community
Community resources are used to strengthen schools, families, and students learning.
Parental involvement in children’s education is fundamental to the success of the child in the educational process. Based on over thirty years of research, the findings substantiate that parental involvement has a powerful effect on students’ lives and success. Programs and interventions that engage families in supporting their children’s learning at home are linked to higher students achievement. Family involvement at home appears to have the greatest affect on student achievement. Students with involved parents, no matter what their background, are more likely to:
- Earn higher grades and test scores
- Enroll in higher-level programs
- Be promoted and earn credits
- Adapt well to school and attend regularly
- Have better social skills and behavior
- Graduate and go on to higher education
(Credit: Anne T. Henderson and Karen L. Mapp)
Schools with well-structured, quality parent involvement programs experience profound benefits also for parents, teachers, and overall school quality. Here are just a few examples:
For teachers and administrators:
- Greater morale
- Increased teacher effectiveness
- Greater job satisfaction
For parents:
- Improved communication with teachers
- Increased education skills
- Improved attitude toward school and school personnel
(*These standards are based upon Dr. Joyce L. Epstein’s over 20 years of parent involvement and partnership research at Johns Hopkins University. Her six types of involvement include: parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home, decision making and collaborating with the community. They are deemed the “Keys to Successful School, Family, and Community Partnerships.”)