The Importance of Parent and Community Involvement in Schools

It takes more than a village to raise a child, but rather the continued support of a child’s parents, school, and community to ensure success. Studies show that parent and community involvement in school environments is vital to student success. Research also indicates that school-family-community partnerships give students access to advocates who support their success.

Encouraging Family and Community Involvement can be Challenging

Parental involvement is an important factor in student success, but research suggests parents become less engaged in education as their children grow older. A 2016 study showed a  dramatic drop in parental involvement between elementary and middle school. Researchers found that 62% of elementary school students had at least one parent participate in parent-teacher conferences, compared to only 27% of middle school students.

Teachers and administrators view this decrease in parental and community involvement as the most pressing challenge facing schools today. For this reason, school districts must evaluate their family-community initiatives to identify areas where parental engagement may be lacking. With this information, schools can focus on removing roadblocks that may prevent parents and community members from becoming more involved in education.

How School, Family, and Community Partnerships Benefit Everyone

Strong school-family-community partnerships not only benefit students and their families, but also schools and the community at large. Research shows that these partnerships can increase academic achievement, improve attendance and behavior, reduce cultural and language barriers, and improve school reputation. These outcomes can help schools attract dedicated faculty and secure funding for quality programs. Communities are enriched when members are given opportunities to participate in student learning experiences.

Increased Student Achievement

Research shows strong relationships between schools, families, and community members positively affect student achievement. Increased family engagement in schools is significantly associated with increased literacy acquisition  and college enrollment rates. Additionally, students who are encouraged by family members to take more rigorous classes are more likely to earn higher test scores and qualify for advanced placement. Finally, schools with healthy parent-community partnerships see a reduction in student drop-out rates over time.

Parents can encourage academic success by assisting with homework, creating a supportive learning environment, and modeling healthy strategies for managing stress. Schools can support parents by providing homework answer keys and offering helpful resources. Schools can also partner with local organizations to host events for parents who wish to learn about their child's curriculum and learning goals.

Improved Attendance and Behavior

Studies show that 15% of public school teachers report student absenteeism as a "serious problem." Researchers suggest that crowded, chaotic classroom environments and teachers who appear uncaring or disinterested are associated with a significant decrease in student attendance. In an effort to combat this trend, many schools reward students who maintain good attendance with incentives, such as pizza parties, t-shirts, and ice cream socials.

While offering rewards and incentives may encourage some students, family and community involvement appears to have a more lasting impact on student attendance. Studies show that parental behaviors, such as monitoring student's whereabouts, talking with their children about school, and joining the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), predict higher levels of student attendance. Schools can support families by hosting workshops to teach parents how to talk to their students and partnering with local businesses and organizations to provide after-school programs.

Enhanced Staff Understanding of Family-Community Needs

Schools may wish to involve families and community members in cultivating positive student experiences but may need to understand better how external factors impact student success. Many parents want to become more involved with their child's school but are limited by work schedules and other obligations. Other parents report feeling frustrated by a lack of knowledge and skills needed to navigate school policies. Schools may also fail to address language and cultural barriers or consider the needs of single parents and other caregivers.

Schools can address these roadblocks by hosting public meetings to discuss new policies and initiatives with families and community members. Schools must also work to accommodate language and cultural differences. Through partnerships with local organizations and community members, schools can forge strong community ties and create an inclusive environment that meets the needs of students and their supporters.

Improved School Reputation and Turnaround

Schools that engage with families and community members can significantly increase their reputation. When schools focus on helping parents and community members feel comfortable in school settings, they can improve parent-teacher communication and earn parent endorsements. Furthermore, the improved academic outcomes, attendance, and family comfort associated with strong school-family-community partnerships can repair a school's reputation within the community.

A report by the U.S. Department of Education's Reform Support Network states that creating infrastructure for family-community engagement demonstrates a school's commitment to supporting students both in school and at home. This report found that many schools whose reputations experienced a turnaround hired community members to lead community engagement initiatives. Faculty and staff can also use tools like periodic school climate surveys to gain clarity on family and community perceptions of the school environment, academic offerings, and student support.