Back to School: How to Be a More Involved Parent

With the start of a new school year, many parents are asking us how they can be more involved in the lives of their children’s schools this year.

Here are some ideas for how you can be an involved parent, advocating not just for your child but for all of the children who attend the school.

• Be present. We know your lives are busy and that work and other obligations can make this difficult. But find ways to be involved in the life of your child’s school. Attend back-to-school nights and parent conferences. Volunteer to help out at special events. Tutor a child who is struggling. Eat lunch with your child at school. Donate items that are needed. Organize friends, neighbors or co-workers to take on a special project.
• Network. Don’t wait until something bad happens to learn who is who at your child’s school. Introduce yourself to teachers and key administrators at the beginning of the year and make it clear that you are eager to support your child in any way needed.
• Look for the positive. Dealing with a teacher or other school personnel when a problem arises is much easier if you have already had positive interactions. Look for reasons to praise the school and staff early in the year. This will make them take you more seriously when something negative happens and make it clear that you are not simply a naysayer who always complains.
• Understand school governance. Addressing problems is easier when you understand protocol. If you have a complaint about a teacher, for example, don’t go to the district superintendent first. Follow the chain of command, beginning with trying to resolve the matter directly with the teacher.
• See the big picture. One of the biggest challenges of parenting is looking beyond the needs of your own child. When you become frustrated by school policy or practices, stop and consider whether it is possible that the practice really is designed to ensure that all children are served well.
• Look beyond cheerleading. The PTA and boosters are valuable school organizations. But sometimes, those organizations become nothing more than cheerleaders for the school and its administration. Be positive whenever you can, but also do not be afraid to think critically about the school and how it might improve. Advocate for improvements whenever possible.
• Encourage others. As you become more involved in the life of the school, encourage others who are hesitant to do the same. Offer to sit with them at meetings or be willing to join them at meetings where specific problems are being addressed.

What advice do you have for parents interested in becoming more involved? Have you seen parent involvement programs that work? What are some potential obstacles to school involvement? How can we help each other?