Research shows that the children whose parents are involved in the educational process are much more likely to be successful and those whose parents are uninvolved are much more apt to to be at risk for failure. It is importtant for parents and educators to know and understand that involvement can occur in different ways and at different levels. Often people think that involvement occurs only when parents show up in the school to volunteer their services. Parents talk about the day's school activities with their children, perhaps around the dinner table. During these discussions they listen for information, provide insight to events that the children express concern about, provide guidance about the handling of different problems, completion of homework and other topics.
Parents provide a homework center and a regular schedule for completing homework.
Parents check and sign the homework sheet or book nightly and assist their children with preparing for the next day. Work for a teacher while at work or in the evening, running off copies of assignments, cutting out things, copying patterns, etc. Participate as chaperones in field trips, class parties and other special events at the school. At the third level of involvement, parents often become regular volunteers in the school, working with staff during the school day on a variety of tasks. The most intensive level of involvement includes becoming a member of the PTA executive board, participating as a member of the School Planning and Management Team, attending Comer School Development Program weekend training, and interacting with viisitors from other districts as they visit the building.