The teacher and administrator focus group was conducted on Wednesday, March 1, 2016, before school. Seven participants were included in the teacher and administrative focus group including two teachers from Oilton Middle School, three teachers from Oilton High School, the principal of Oilton High School, and the school district counselor. The focus group interview session enabled the researcher to build conversations around specific topics, and allowed the interviewer to build increased levels of rapport with the participants (Stake, 2013).
The first question asked of the teacher and administrator focus group focused on the meaning of parent involvement to parents. JP, the school counselor, replied, “There is a group of parents who expects their kids to be taken care of 100% in their growth of education and socialization.” CS, a middle school, teacher followed up the response of JP by stating, “Unfortunately, I think a majority of our parents want 100% as far as us (teachers) taking care of everything. A few of our parents don’t have that expectation, but, for the most part, a majority of them do.” The teacher and administrative focus group members contended that parents should be informed and involved, but, parents have the mindset that their responsibility is to get their child to school with their books and homework and that the remainder of the educational process is totally the school’s responsibility.
The teacher/administrator focus group members were then asked what
Parental involvement is essential for the school’s effectiveness. We see ourselves as partners of the family, reinforcing parents' efforts to guide the intellectual, emotional and spiritual development of their children. We offer seminars and classes for personal enrichment of parents as they strive to become even more the kind of person they want their children to
Parent involvement is key to a child’s academic success; this can be accomplished through the parent’s participation in an advisory council. A parent-teacher organization meets regularly to discuss the workings of the school and the parents that take part in the meeting are rewarded with a voice to make suggestions and give active feedback to the school. This enables parents and teachers to discuss matters dealing with the education of their child. Another council that advocates the voice of parents is the Mississippi Read
I am quite fortunate to work at a site that I was able to be part of creating our school’s vision. Lorena Falasco Elementary School’s mission statement is: “In partnership with our community, Lorena Falasco Elementary School is committed to creating a safe and positive environment with high expectations that encourage success and lifelong learning for everyone.” With that in mind, parent education and involvement are crucial for a school to be successful in doing so. At this time I am co-leading a parent education class that is being held at Lorena Falasco Elementary School we have completed seven of the eight workshops. The parenting workshop combines parenting and leadership skills that will empower parents to become vital contributors to their children’s academic success. There are eight workshops that we will present, which will create parent leaders and also provide positive
On Saturday, January 7th I interviewed Amy Beard. Amy is a program manager for FEMA in Emmitsburg, Maryland at the National Emergency Training Center or known as NETC. Amy has worked at NETC for eighteen years and two years as a supervisor. Currently, there are ten full-time employees signed to her work contract with her. As her job, her employees and her offer online training courses in emergency preparedness and maintain student records, as well as run a customer service department. After interviewing Amy, I learned more beneficial information about small group communication, especially in a work setting.
Academic scholars have noted that students who are thoroughly engaged are high academic achievers (Fullan, 2016). However, the subject of parent involvement has been introduced into the discourse over the past decades and now most educational leaders agree “ the closer the parent is to the education of the child, the greater the impact on child development and educational achievement” (Fullan, 2016, p. 158). As a result, the Ontario Ministry of education created Parents in Partnership: A parent engagement policy for Ontario schools. This policy is directly aligned with the ministry’s goal of creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive education system. The policy identifies parents as key individuals in education as they contribute to the work of educators, schools, and the community (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2010). An investigation into the framework of the policy reveals the main actors, which are the parents; who are defined as caregivers, guardians, and parents, the government, school boards, teachers, principals, students, and the
In the world of Early Elementary Education, it is important to collaborate with not only the students but also the families of students, and keep them informed about the everyday routines of school life. In 1st grade, the students and families are excited, but also scared, to be acclimated to new school hours. This is necessary to the overall academic performance, and outcomes of all students, as well as helping families and students come together. When educators and families develop good collaboration skills, many positive factors can happen. This includes academic achievement increasing, disciplinary problems decreasing, and attendance increasing. In the article “8 Tips for a Great Parent Communication Plan,” by Nikkie
“The meeting of two eternities, the past and future….is precisely the present moment.” Infante D. Henrique of Portugal, better know as Prince Henry the Navigator, was born in Portugal in 1394. During his time alive, Henry was a big supporter of multiple sea voyages, mapping the west African coast along the way. Henry not only encouraged sailors in his homeland, but was also able to spread encouragement to other sea explorers for years to come. Without Henry the Navigator, Europe would lose one of its key players in the Age of Exploration, stopping Europe’s further development for some time.
The second is Communication between the Home and School. In order to help families create settings within the home to support their children as students we, the teachers, can provide suitable materials which give information and assistances on how the parents can help at home. Through pamphlets, e-mails, and phone calls teachers can inspire and encourage parents to converse and work with their child. Through our involvement with the families, parents become more aware of their child’s school platform, they interact on a more positive level with their children they are more skilled to reinforce the teacher's objectives in order to achieve better schoolwork. When we give parents information to become more knowledgeable partners with the school, their child sees that their parents and teachers are communicating with one another about their schoolwork, which allows them to become more aware of their parents involvement and abilities. This will open up the opportunity for the child and parents to talk openly about the child’s schoolwork and the decisions the child makes at school.
American Federation of Teachers, also known as AFT was founded in 1916 and today represents 1.6 million members in more than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide, founded in Chicago by President Samuel Gompers. (“About”) The AFT also represents 80,000 early childhood educators and about 250,000 retiree members. (“About”) AFT targets to help students, families, and communities to target fairness, democracy, economic opportunity, high-quality public education, healthcare and public services. (“Mission”) The organization and members advance these principles through engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism. (“Mission”) The AFT addresses multiple issues that they believe has an importance to the union and our country,
More recently, the United States Department of Education, by submitting the 1996 proposal for National Education Goals, addressed the issue of parental involvement. The official U.S. government stood by the research of three decades that “parental participation in schooling improves student learning,” (U.S. Department of Education). Based on government research, family involvement programs don’t always need additional money to be successful, but leaders should stretch their own creativity to expand the programs that encourage community and family support. Parental involvement is found to be beneficial through high school, not stopping after elementary school, and parents that evolve as leaders should be encouraged to continue their role in their child’s education. The most successful parent leaders are found to play four roles in their child’s education: those roles are teacher, supporter, advocate and decision maker. The teacher-role supplements the child’s education at home, the supporter contributes his/her skills to the school, the advocate helps children receive fair treatment at home, and the decision maker participates in joint problem-solving with
“We are open to all parents coming to the school but due to safety reasons there is a high level of security that can deter parents from being more involved. We view parents as a valuable part of a child’s early learning however in our title environment we often see a lack of involvement that hinders their child’s early learning.”
Although it is important for families to be involved with their child’s school, school personnel should also strive to create a positive interaction with families of students. Carl Dunst (2002) states that school and parent collaboration is necessary, and if schools take on a more family-centered approach, it will help create a supportive environment and help to strengthen a family’s capacity to enhance and promote a child’s development and learning.
Classroom management is a key element to establish a successful learning environment in any classroom. An effective classroom management plan creates a positive learning environment. Classroom management is affected by the characteristics of the students and their behavior. Students’ behavior is influenced by their age, academic abilities, goals, interests, and home backgrounds (Evertson, Emmer, and Worsham, 2006). Teachers need a diverse array of classroom management skills to facilitate learning. A classroom with a proper management plan will spend less time in disciplining and more time in learning. Students in effectively managed classrooms know and follow clearly defined rules and routines. A classroom management plan should provide
Parental involvement in education is a vital essential for creating a cooperative environment for the student to thrive and succeed in. When a student knows that he or she is receiving support both inside and outside the school, the chances of that child becoming responsible for and active in their education are more likely. I know that there can be difficulties including parents for many reasons. Such parents may be too busy, uninterested or just feel helpless. However, as an educator, I will still have an obligation to reach out to these parents and assist them.
This paper will describe the relationship/social development that occurs during the ages of 13 through 19, known as adolescence (teenage years). These are the years where a teenager’s priority changes from home/family to their peers. The peer groups are a major reference point for developing personal identity along with finding values and moral judgment that may differ from what they have learned at home. With technology today dating/romantic relationships often form in the early teen years. These relationships are frequently considered to be “cyber dating” and do not normally last longer than a few months. As the teenager grows the relationship status and expectations change and can lead to sexual relationships. While priority may have