Teach Primary Issue 18.7

TOGETHER How can we increase parental engagement to help close the attainment gap? Megan Morris has some advice... P arental engagement and parental involvement are common terms that are often used interchangeably. There is, in fact, a difference in meaning between them. While there are debates about what falls under each term’s definition, a simple way of putting it would be that parental involvement is more about a sense of ‘doing’ at home or school, while engagement concerns the parent–school partnership. So, many parents and carers may be involved in their child’s education at home or school, but the teachers and schools may not see them as engaged. The benefits of parental engagement There is a wealth of evidence that suggests stronger parental engagement leads to better outcomes for pupils. While improved academic performance comes to mind first, the benefits of parental engagement are not limited to that. Parental engagement helps in building a better support network for parents and carers, raising aspirations for pupils and their families alike. This happens when parents take advantage of a stronger school–home bond and improve their home learning environment with the advice and support from school, especially their children’s teachers. Effective parental engagement strategies especially help benefit children from disadvantaged backgrounds, as they will give families more confidence and ability to manage and support their children’s aspirations. Stronger school– home relationships also contribute to a child’s holistic development: studies have shown that greater Strengthening parental engagement among hard-to-reach parents Parents’ lack of education, or poor experiences with their own or other schools can make them hesitant about building stronger partnerships with their child’s current school. On the educators’ side, some teachers have expressed difficulty in identifying their role in parental engagement. It can be difficult too for teachers to reconcile the need to build these relationships with the time constraints of their current role and the “Provide universal services to decrease stigma” Pulling involvement of parents in a child’s education and learning process can lead to improved behaviour, and even motivation in classrooms. Increased engagement with parents and carers is linked with better school attendance as well, helping narrow the attainment gap. All in all, there is a plethora of evidence available that shows parental engagement should be made a priority by schools. When clear communication channels are developed, not only do parents gain a better understanding of their child’s school life, they also come to appreciate the challenges faced by teachers. In turn, teachers can learn from parents’ experiences and knowledge to complement their teaching and learning, fostering a positive learning environment and school culture. 72 | www.teachwire.net