Parent Involvement

 

Instructor: 

Robin Lyles

E-mail: 

robinlyles@hotmail.com

Suggested Text:  Getting Parents Involved:  A Handbook of Ideas for Teachers, Schools, and Communities, by Yvonne M. Wittreich, Evelyn F. Jacobi, and Iris E. Hogue

Course Description:  Since parents’ involvement in formal schooling is vital for children’s academic success, this workshop is designed to discover and reinforce ways to gradually and comfortably include parents, one of teachers’ most untapped resources, in their children’s education.

Course Rationale: The current perspectives of educators toward parental involvement will be enlightened.  Teachers will begin to share the teaching responsibilities with family members to provide a richer, more thorough educational experience.      

Benefits/Skills learned within this course:

Course Outline:

  I.  Introduction - Why are parents not more involved?

        A.  Various individual experiences with parents                       

        B.  Current status of education

  II. Ways to get parents more involved

        A.  Start communication early and positive 

        B.  Honor parents’ time

        C.  Help parents feel valued and informed

        D.  Provide ways to show parents how to assist their own children with learning

III. Visiting Web Sites

        A.  Visit various sites to provide a better understanding of the process

        B.  Discover new-found sites and sharing with classmates 

IV. Letters home

        A.  Review of any current letters developed

        B.  Redesign letters to attract parents into involvement

V.  Introduction to TIPS (Teachers Involve Parents in Homework)

        A.  Rewrite current assignments to be more interactive

        B.  Discuss ways to tweak homework              

VI. Assessments

        A.  Provide ways to inform parents and students upfront about assignments

        B.  Include parents and students in assessment design

        C.  Create assessments that will specifically and comprehensively direct students to assignments

        D.  Create assessments that will fairly and comprehensively establish grades

 

Grading policy:

A = 90% - 100%

B = 80% - 89%

C = 70% - 79%

D = 60% - 69%

F = Below 60%

 

Grades will be classified as follows:

 

Letter

15%

Conference discussion criteria

10%

Internet Sites

10%

Adjustment of homework assignments

15%

Assessments

20%

*Online discussion and participation 

30%

*For full credit in this area, a minimum of 10 in-depth, insightful postings/week are required, including self-reflections and growth gained in this course.  This section also includes reading and responding to other classmates’ postings.