Employers need to be flexible with the work schedules of working parents and supportive of their efforts to be involved in their children's schools. Because of cultural differences, many parents are not familiar with the expectations of their children's schools and don't understand how to go about getting involved, even if they want to. Some parents lack the educational background or skills they feel they need to interact with teachers and staff. For others, their own negative experiences as students make them uncomfortable going to the school. Another possible solution is to have children accompany their parents and act as translators at conferences and meetings.
Some parents lack the ability to read or are embarrassed about their lack of schooling.
Educators should realize that not all parents are able to read newsletters, field trip forms, or homework assignments. They must not depend on the written word as the only form of communication with the home. Teachers who feel overburdened with their teaching load may not have the time to reach out to parents. They need to be given the necessary time to contact and meet with parents. Sometimes parents are frustrated because schools do not seem to know much about their children.