EXTRA POINTS ! by Edwin W.D. Laryea

Changes in attitudes and increased participation in the restructuring of the school program, can be initiated through a co-operative effort of immigrant parents, teachers and administrators. Each group must clearly define what they mean by parental involvement, and identify positive examples as well as barriers. Teachers and Administrators: Answering the following questions will help you determine the extent of the parental involvement in your school: 1. What does this school mean by parent involvement? 2. What examples can you find, of parents, in decision making roles, in this, and other schools? 3. What structural barriers exist in this school to equal partnership between parents and school staff? 4. Who else has an interest in increasing parents' role in this school? (locally, countywide)? How can they help? 5. What special efforts do you make to involve immigrant parents? Parents: Find out how involved you are in your child's education by answering the following questions: 1. Have you visited the school? 2. Do you know the names of your child's teacher, Counsellor, Vice-Principal, and Principal? 3. When you visit the schools, do you feel welcomed? 4. Are you familiar with what your child is learning? 5. Are you monitoring your child's progress? 6. Is your child happy in his or her school? If not, what steps have you taken? 7. Do you attend all school functions? 8. Do you communicate regularly with teachers and administrators? 9. Do you feel that the school communicates regularly with you? 10. Do you feel that your opinions are valuable in the decision-making process? 11. Are you satisfied with the role parents play in the running of the school? If not, what suggestions will you make? Yes, the time has come for school administrators, teachers and other educational leaders to share some decision-making power with others in the community. The changes that will be made in the empowerment process should be tangible. They must be accompanied by training sessions for the parents, on how to interact effectively with the school.

This article was originally published in Cross Cultures Magazine in Volume 1 - Issue 3 - 1992. Unauthorized copying, distribution or other usage without express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.