Reflection 11

There is an element of collaboration needed when providing the most advantageous avenues for students to be academically successful to their fullest potential.  This element is dependent on parent engagement and involvement. Unfortunately, in my opinion and experiences, parents and teachers do not always respect each other.  But, parent involvement is a crucial piece of student success.  It seems, in the past, parents did not question teachers or school administration.  Parents, mothers in particular, allowed educators to decide the direction of students without question.  In recent years there has been a push for parent involvement and collaboration.  No longer does the teacher have all the knowledge.  Middle class mothers are taking charge of their children’s education ensuring every opportunity is available.  Those equipped with the right resources usually get what is desired.  In contrast, there continue to be parents struggling to understand the importance of their role in student success often taking a back seat, giving in and being labeled the parent who does not care.

In fact, some parents labeled as not caring and uninvolved had awful experiences in school.  Others are doing the best they can with the resources they have.  Parents, when focused on providing the basic physiological needs for their children may not have the internal drive or physical ability to add one more element of stress to their lives.  These families are doing just fine with life and adding any other elements is going to cause the dynamics of the family to significantly shift.   These are the parents to be reached.  Children of typical, middle class, duel income families are not going to fall between the cracks and go unnoticed.  It is the student whose family lacks adequate resources and support who will fail and give up. Struggling parents need teachers and teachers need these parents too.   It is my belief, family learning nights provide opportunities for teachers and parents to come together in a nonthreatening, fun, learning environment giving parents opportunity to be involved as well as provide teachers a chance to see parents in a different setting.

NCTM’s tips provide good quality information regarding contact and collaboration with parents.  Considering I believe parents are a key component in the academic success of students.  Essentially, teachers and parents have a duel role in working to keep students on task and on target.  And for this to be successful, teachers must be willing to build relationships and collaborate with their student’s parents and caregivers.  Most every suggestion given was appropriate with building relationships and helping students.  Although, I do not agree with giving an extra credit point to students whose parents email a response to the teacher.  There are many families who do not have adequate or consistent internet or email access and this is not a fair distribution of bonus points.   Additionally when looking at the dynamics of a student’s family, it is vital to know who is providing care or has custody.   For example, if the caregiver is a grandparent or great grandparent, the use of text and or email may not be their main method or mode of communicating with the outside world.  Believe it or not, there are families who chose to go without cable in order to provide better quality of care for their children. This is something to consider as the number of grandparents gaining custody of their grandchildren continues to rise.  Not only is the ability to stay up to date on frequently changing technology a disadvantage for older parents, but the lack of disposable income also contributes to involvement and resource support.

Working with students who are language delayed, my focus has always been on improving their limited vocabulary.  Family activities or events have always been designed with literacy and reading as the main focus. Yet, this article has given new insight to other important areas related and connected to literacy.  Andrea Lachance is right on target with her Family Math Nights.  Families are an integral part of student success and there must be a way to reach those who are not currently, actively working with their children at home.  Realizing the importance of not only reading literacy, but also math literacy is becoming quite apparent.  Families need to understand what to do to provide homework, after school, and summer activities for their children which are fun yet focusing on building and increasing the student’s knowledge and confidence in literacy and math.  Family math nights and event nights are great assets for families.

 In contrast, these kinds of activities take money, resources, and time.  Without the support of teachers, colleges, and other organizations, it can be difficult to pull these events off successfully.  Teachers and parents are overworked and underpaid often not wanting to give up precious time with their families to be involved.  For example, part of my job is to establish parent support meetings and family activity nights.  I am struggling with getting families to attend and become actively involved in their child’s education.  Furthermore, I do not have adequate funding to pay for large scale events.  In the past, events were scheduled monthly in 6 different locations across the state without childcare being provided.  Following this model is proving ineffective in the purpose of these meetings.  It is evident a change is needed and I am considering following a model very similar to the one provided in this article.  It is my hope to provide family learning opportunities which involve parents, children, and teachers.