Other parents lack confidence when it comes to helping their children academically. In addition, parents whose own school experience during childhood was unpleasant or unsuccessful may still view school-based education in a negative light. Parents themselves may be uneasy about the extent of their involvement in schools. School personnel have their own misconceptions. In addition, some teachers prejudge certain parents as unwilling or unable to help their children academically.
Teachers also cite ack of training and time as barriers to involving parents.
Bridges need to be built so that parents can help their children succeed in school, but buffers need to be in place to allow teachers and administrators to do their job and exercise their professional expertise. In other words, there needs to be mutual trust between parents and the school so that both parties can work with, not against, each other. As the benefits of parent involvement become more evident, educators are increasingly committed to overcoming barriers and areas of misunderstanding that can arise among both parents and school personnel. On a practical level, there are steps schools can take to facilitate parental involvement. Teachers also should communicate with parents not just when students misbehave, but when they are doing well.