What approaches can you take to involve parents in educational reform?

Parents are one of the important stakeholders in any educational setup. So the schools must make efforts to be connected with them. Weekend meetings orientation sessions on school activities and initiatives, providing volunteering opportunities during school events, maintaining regular communication through emails, and organizing joint extra and co-curricular activities for parents and students are some ways parents can collaborate with the schools. Once done, the parents can further be involved in the school management on a small scale. this may involve starting a Parent-Teacher Association or appointing a parent representative on the advisory board, etc.

In a low budget school I was working with in urban Bangalore, I can recall the tradition of 'mother' sessions organised every 6 months by the teachers and mothers alike. Student mothers and grand mothers were invited to teach sewing, stitching, clothes repairing and cooking to the teachers, older students, and each other. These informal sessions would become sites of dialogue on issues related to parenting, teaching, solutioning on infrastructure concerns, and much more. This involvement, without agenda except women meeting together in solidarity, was probably the most authentic and efficient parent engagement I have experienced, because it grew organically, rather than an mandated imposition.

Timely sharing information to the parents regarding student performance and behavioral issues if any. Parents feedback will provide great insight but it should be analysed before implementation

Involving parents in the educational process not only enhances student success but also strengthens the overall effectiveness of reforms. 1. "Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much." — Helen Keller ----- Cultivate a Culture of Collaboration 2. "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." — Rudyard Kipling-----Empower the Parent Voice 3."In diversity there is beauty and there is strength." — Maya Angelou --Create Inclusive Spaces. 4. "Trust, but verify." — Ronald Reagan--Build Trust and Transparency By embracing the principles of collaboration, empowerment, inclusivity, accessibility, and trust, we can create a more vibrant and effective educational ecosystem.

Parents and facilitatirs both play crucial roles in the educational and holistic development of any learner. Parents are a child's first teachers and have a significant impact on their overall growth. They can support their child's learning by creating a nurturing and stimulating environment at home, encouraging a positive attitude towards education, and actively participating in their child's academic journey. By being involved in their child's education, parents can help instill important values, such as perseverance, curiosity, and a love for learning. Educators and Parents have to work as partners to support the educational journey of learners and friendly open discussions, respecting privacy of learners' will positively support.

Educate the parents! To implement any educational reform, it is imperative to have parent involvement and participation. They are the influencing factors and in many cases, also the deciding factor with relevance to educational decisions. It is ,thus, not a sector to be ignored. Educating the parents about the reform requires sharing the right information, keeping it transparent, inviting suggestions and feedback and also providing strategies for the parents to uphold and implement the desired change at their end. Remember they may want to help but dont know how, educate them to enable participation. Make it a shared vision between the authorities and the parents where the children's development is at the heart of it, to induce interest.

Opening dialogue to involve parents in educational reform requires thoughtful planning and clear communication. Organize regular meetings where parents can express their concerns, ideas, and suggestions. Ensure these are at accessible times and locations. Ensure anonymity to encourage honest feedback. Strengthen PTAs and similar organizations, giving them a more significant role in discussions about educational reform. Educate parents about the specifics of the proposed reforms and how they will impact their children.Include parent representatives on committees that plan and implement educational reforms.Use online platforms to engage with parents, such as social media, forums, and webinars, to reach those who cannot attend in person.

Maintaining an open dialogue with parents is crucial for effective educational reform. By creating regular opportunities for parents to voice their opinions and concerns, we can build a collaborative and inclusive environment. Organizing town hall meetings, sending out surveys, and holding informal coffee chats are practical ways to engage parents. The goal is to establish a two-way communication channel where parents feel heard and valued. This approach not only provides valuable feedback but also fosters a sense of shared responsibility for the students' educational outcomes, enhancing the overall success of reform initiatives.

Involving parents in educational reform is crucial for creating sustainable and effective changes in the educational system. Send out regular updates about ongoing reforms, plans, and progress. Schedule regular meetings to discuss educational reforms, and how they impact students, and gather feedback. Utilize these platforms to keep parents informed and engaged.

Meeting in person as and when possible without pre-conceived notion. Listening to them; active listening helps. Being vulnerable will help them open up and give clear insights which would help in forming policies.

As a school leader, I have always aimed to involve parents in any changes or reform to what we do as a school. This is through questionnaires, and parenr meetings, as well as workshops. With the rise of AI and conflicting views on best approaches, it is wise to use experience that you may have amongst parents, to get feedback on how changes may impact on career prospects for students.

Communicating about education reforms and encouraging participation increases feasibility in every aspect. your team, stakeholders and parents... Especially try to get feedback. Listen to their ideas as if they would contribute.

Advisory panels are one option for structuring parent involvement in educational reform. Sometimes, however, their effectiveness is limited because the parental perspective is treated like a single point of view, losing the diversity of views and perspectives. Also, they often do not create true dialogue and learning together of various stakeholders. Instead, think about putting together study groups made up of various stakeholders — parents, teachers, students, administrators, support staff, etc. — so that people can hear different perspectives, develop empathy for other stakeholders, and have their own paradigms challenged.

In addition to inviting parents to parent advisory panels, parents can be involved in all kinds of school committees and boards. For example, parents can be valuable partners in strategic planning initiatives. They can offer excellent insight on hiring committees. I have worked with parents as part of curriculum decision committees. These kinds of committees do require significant time commitment on the part of parents, but involving them in the discussions and the decisions allows for their expertise and perspective to be heard and considered.

In continuation, the parent meets churned out significant contributions towards educational reforms. I realised that leadership has to be delegated to parents in order to get the best reforms from honest and open discussions among themselves. We arrived at a panel which contributed towards the progress of the preschool!

A child's growth is utmost dependent on school & parents' mutual efforts. Creating advisory panels provide a wide platform for parents to put forward their concerns , suggestions & feedback. Open events like ' CHAI PE CHARCHA ' or ' TABLE TALK ' etc. strengthens the parents' faith towards school management. Thus parents feel that their ward is in safe & familiar hands.

Advisory panels play a crucial role in involving parents in educational reform by providing a structured and ongoing forum for input & collaboration. Ensure diverse representation of parents from different backgrounds, including those from various socioeconomic statuses, ethnicities, & districts, to gather a wide range of perspectives.Hold regular meetings to discuss ongoing issues, proposed reforms, and new ideas. This consistency helps build trust and ensures continuous parent involvement ensuring that parent concerns and suggestions are heard and addressed.Involve parents in the development and review of educational policies, allowing them to provide input on decisions that will directly impact their children.C

Volunteer programs can be an effective method for involving parents in the day-to-day life of the school, which can lead to deeper engagement in reform initiatives. Encourage parents to contribute their time and skills in various capacities, from classroom assistance to event organization. This hands-on involvement can increase their investment in the school's success and give them a firsthand look at where reform might be needed.

Volunteer programs can play a pivotal role in involving parents in educational reform by creating opportunities for direct engagement, fostering a sense of community, and leveraging parents' unique insights and skills. Encourage parents to join PTAs where they can collaborate with teachers and school administrators on decision-making processes and reform initiatives. Organize workshops to educate parents about current educational practices, reform needs, and how they can contribute. These sessions empower parents with knowledge & skills to support their children & advocate for change.Invite parents to volunteer in classrooms, allowing them to observe and understand the educational environment firsthand.

It is very important for an educational leader to be a balance between parents being overly controlling and being indifferent most of the time. If parents are not very controlling, it is very useful to integrate them into parenting programs and education.

We found having parents come in to speak on panels about careers or volunteerism provided a great way to engage parents, expose them to the day-to-day workings of the school, help students see parents in a different light, and create opportunities for more conversations about a variety of topics, including school reform.

Volunteer programs can be effective; however, we need to create a balance and differentiate between the silent and the overly involved parents. Giving voice to the controlling parents and by selecting them as members of the parent council can be a great way to maintain balance in communication. Contrastingly, despite given a chance, there are several parents who are completely silent and are unmotivated to contribute their valued opinions. This makes it equally difficult for educators to understand their perspectives and collaborate further. A better strategy would be to provide flexible opportunities to attend events and to volunteer within the school premises to get a glimpse of their child's curricular and extra curricular progress.

I actually like this idea of volunteer programs for parents. This will give them a sense of belonging and so with their individual involvement in these projects, they will more likely see the school as their own. With this perspective they will see the importance of investing their resources to enhance the development of the school.

Volunteer programmes are certainly a fantastic way to support parental involvement in our schools. Often there is resistance to this from teachers which is interesting to unpack. Teachers often feel uneasy about parental involvement as it can be vulnerable and feel like they are being judged. Again, this is interesting to unpack from a trauma informed perspective as we look at why these fears and insecurities are being triggered.

Building and sustaining an inclusive culture where parents feel valued through their presence and or presents makes a world of difference in student learning outcomes. Research shows that when parents and external stakeholders love and support their children's schools, children usually achieve higher educational outcomes. Creating space and a culture for parents to support their children's education and educational community is a best practice that can yield positive results once done strategically.

Getting parents volunteer in the day-to-day activities creates a sense of ownership among parents and they become responsible for the wholesome development of children even in the school. The fact that parents are trusted to know how the school actually functions lowers parents' stress which in turn is beneficial to child development.

Organizing workshops for parents can be an effective way to help them get a bird's eye view of the academic vision and mission of the educational institution. Not only do they get familiar with the curriculum or teaching methodologies, but they also take interest and equal responsibility for the child's progress and attainment over a period. Any online or in-person meetings/workshops regarding the changes and implementations within the curriculum and breakdown of the assessment strategies would help parents recognize their child's areas of improvement.

Since most parents experienced school in conventional settings, it’s beneficial for them to not just learn about innovative methodologies but also experience them to the extent possible. If we can design parental workshops to model the strategies being used in the classroom and build an understanding of why those strategies yield better learning outcomes, parents can be supportive stakeholders in communicating with other parents about the importance of the new methodologies from a point of experiencing them directly.

Providing opportunities for parental workshops is very important - in fairness, many parents will really appreciate the support these events offer to their own parenting skills. Topics around cyber safety are always popular, but try to engage them in the reasons why you are adopting the school culture you are and watch the parent support increase ten fold.

Workshops, facilitated conversations (including text-based), visits to other schools, student exhibitions, and more can help parents better understand what goes on in schools, see and hear different perspectives, and learn together with other parents, teachers and even students.

We regularly hold parent workshops in a variety of topics (Maths is always the most popular!) They are a great way to connect with the community and share your vision for learning. The biggest issue we face is get the parents we want at the workshops and not the same faces every time.

One of the crucial aspects in child development is the positive synergy between parents and teachers, home and school. This can be achieved only through sharing the strategies with parents. The best way to empower parents is to provide the requisite knowledge and skills through regular and rigorous training.

To involve parents in educational reform, one effective approach is organizing learning workshops where parents and their children participate together. These workshops provide an opportunity for both parents and children to listen, engage, and experience the learning process side by side. At the end of each workshop, children's reflections are recorded, enabling parents to understand and support their children more effectively on their educational journey

SUGGEST A SPECIA WORKSHOP PARENTS INVOLVED. THEY WILL BE DEVOTED IN FURNISHING A QUITE DIRECTED SOLUTION TO AN EXISTING PROBLEM OR PROBLEMS THAT SOME STUDENTS HAVE.

As Oficinas de aprendizagem são importantes. No sentido de estabelecer o engajamento necessário visando o envolvimentos dos responsáveis com a escola.

One of the most important ways for an educational reform is to have learning workshops for parents. I have witnessed parents who are naive when it comes to technologies being used for their children at school. This creates a gap between the educational system and parental support. Parents need to be well informed, given basic training and provided with constant support as the educational system integrates technically advanced platforms in their classes and regular school activities.

Há motivos diversos para que os pais, considerando a dinâmica 'líquida' de nossos dias 'tomada' pelo 'volume', a 'intensidade' de seus papéis e responsabilidades, se mantenham um pouco mais distante da atmosfera escolar do que o apropriado. Não se trata 'apenas' de acompanhar o aproveitamento acadêmico de seus filhos, a escola do agora precisa muito mais. Ela precisa se reinventar! Essa reinvenção começa por não deixá-la (a escola) apartada da vida, ela necessita transpirar a vida do nosso tempo, com seus sabores e dessabores. Para isso, os pais são sofisticados 'construtores' neste processo. Projetos colaborativos com demandas delimitadas e articuladas podem absorver, pragmaticamente, os melhores saberes, competências e vivências dos pais.

Begin by assigning projects and mini-assignments that require students to ask questions or gather responses from their parents. The rationale is that these assignments can help children learn about culture, history, and current trends. Additionally, increased interaction fosters stronger bonds between parents and children, enhancing mutual understanding of their interests and wishes.

One way to create positive communities is though communities themselves! When a school channelizes efforts towards empowering parents, they become resourceful in creating awareness in the community and bringing about changes. Schools can create these opportunities by getting parents involved in community projects- small ones to begin with and render their efforts worthwhile.

start by creating parents group class wise along with class teacher with a group leader and other necessary appointments with people who can drive the group effectively. The group can organize either physical or virtual meeting at least once a month to discuss agendas of improvement and their role in doing so. Furthermore, the subject teachers can share tasks and projects assigned to students that require parents engagement and involvement and the teachers can also share the problems associated with teaching learning and the parents role to reach to a solution through the forum.

I agree with this. Such initiatives not only leverage the diverse skills and perspectives of the school community but also foster a sense of ownership and commitment among parents. as rightly stated , when parents are actively involved in creating tangible improvements, they can see the value of their involvement, witness the positive outcomes firsthand, and are more likely to support and advocate for broader reform initiatives. Additionally, these projects can strengthen the school community, build trust, and create a more supportive environment for implementing future changes

Na minha experiência, os projetos colaborativos foram essenciais para o aumento do envolvimento da comunidade escolar, de forma relevante.

This is a most powerful means of engaging parents in school activities. It need not be large scale and it should not involve any expense apart from the energy expended in attending an inception meeting and a debrief at the end. The key word is tangible - parents

We worked closely with the local educational foundation led by parents, the PTA, and individual parents on a variety of initiatives. Each experience was positive and created a deeper sense of community for all.

I was recently involved in a behaviour review where parents were asked to complete a form gathering data on their views of the behaviour policy. A number of parents were invited in for a day (fed and watered!) to contribute their thoughts and ideas. It is a great idea as long as you are prepared to listen whilst parents speak about the experience particular to their child, and a good chance for them to see us as partners.

We should encourage an open-door policy where parents feel welcome to discuss their concerns and ideas with school staff. We should keep facilitating regular, informal interactions between parents and educators through coffee mornings, open houses, and family nights. Share and celebrate the successes and positive outcomes of the reforms to build trust and buy-in.

As a developing educational institute, we keep changing policies, technologies and try to enhance the quality of our education system. Parents feedback plays a significant role in all this. A feedback loop must be instilled in the system which gives regular updates to the parents and collects feedback from them in a systemized and useful way.

According to me to involve parents in educational reform through a feedback loop, establish regular, open communication channels such as surveys, forums, and meetings. Create parent advisory committees to ensure their input is valued and integrated into decision-making. Use digital platforms for updates and feedback collection, ensuring accessibility. Involve parents in pilot programs and solicit their observations and suggestions. Provide transparent updates on reform progress and how parental feedback has influenced changes. This collaborative approach ensures parents feel heard and contributes to a more effective and inclusive educational reform process.

Effective feedback is essential for both parents and educators. It is reciprocal as it opens up a two-way channel. A great strategy would be to initiate surveys and discussions that allow parents to voice their opinions and concerns regarding their child's overall performance, the role of the concerned facilitators, and the intitution's approach to learning. It is equally important to provide them with ample room and flexibility in sharing their concerns. Moreover, for better outcomes, parents' concerns can be an invaluable source for a school's improvement. Their involvement gets maximized when they observe positive impact of their feedback.

One thing I've found helpful is informing and educating them about the curricula their children are using. The information provided about the teaching and learning framework, the use of academic conversations, accountable talk, differentiation strategies, etc. Even if they are not as actively engaged in the daily happenings as they or you would like (die to a myriad of circumstances) they appreciate and feel empowered having better understanding.

I agree that parental input is invaluable information in the educational process. Ensuring that there are avenues for parents to provide ongoing input and receive updates on how their feedback is used is important in many ways. This collaboration provides not only strategies to meet the individual needs of students, it also formulates a partnership and network of trust between teachers and parents.

As primary stakeholders in their children’s future, parents bring a wealth of insight and commitment to the educational reform process. Acknowledgment is a powerful motivator. Recognizing and celebrating the contributions of parents—whether through awards, acknowledgments in school publications, or public thanks at events—can reinforce their importance in the educational ecosystem.

1. Communication 2. Parent Education 3. Parent Involvement Opportunities 4. Home-School Partnerships 5. Parent Empowerment 6. Feedback Mechanisms 7. Celebration of Parent Involvement

Education needs to be accessible for ALL. This means being reflexive and individualised to cater for all needs in a way that is accepted, valid and genuine. A trauma informed response, gentle teaching and experiential kinaesthetic learning through activities, culture and Art are all just as valid as the baccalaureate.

Involving parents in educational reform is crucial. Encourage parents to volunteer in schools, Helping teachers with classroom activities. Participating in mentoring or tutoring programs. Regular sessions on the objectives and progress of the reforms. Establishing resource centers where parents can access information and support. This can be achieved by:Regular surveys to gather parent opinions on the effectiveness of the reforms.Identify and address barriers that might prevent parents from being involved Providing information in multiple languages. 0ffering meetings and events at various times to accommodate different schedule.Highlight and celebrate the successes of the and show parents the positive impact of their involvement.

Apart from the above mentioned approaches Giving parents the right of decision making and advocacy. It will provide them opportunities to be part of the school and take ownership of the child’s learning. With this they can share their concerns and be part of the decision-making that will help in building trust.

One crucial aspect to consider and work on is making the parents aware of the assessment / learning objectives and skills that the teaching-learning process hopes to achieve in the academic year. Whenever I have frankly spoken to parents about how their child has been working on assessment-related skills, they have immensely appreciated it. Opening a dialogue about something tangible and showing them the learning process and progress of the student will always be welcomed by parents and caregivers.

First, society is now realizing that the school is a critical and significant resource in feeding children. As almost 25% of American children live in poverty, schools have again, with herculean effort,  organized ways to deliver a lunch and a breakfast to houses. many local restaurants, those most in danger of closing due to the health crisis, and looming economic crisis, have provided free meals to young people as well. Second, with the emergency turn to internet based learning, many areas, especially rural areas, still do not have the infrastructure to support this form of communication, information delivery, and contact with the rest of the world.

When I realized my 4-year old son has serious cracks in his foundation, I had a very clear understanding that if I don't priories his wellbeing immediately, I will potentially have to assist him with a 'leaking roof' for the rest of his life. I will rather set aside my career now to attend to this issue and retake my own priorities once the foundation has been fixed. This was 6 years ago, and now he is a well rounded, well adjusted leader and adventure seeker. The peace of mind and heart that comes from knowing I have set him up for success is priceless. And I am in a new career that suits me much better.

Building trust and relationships with parents is essential for real educational reform. When parents trust our schools, they feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and getting involved. This support can make a huge difference in how smoothly reforms are implemented. By connecting with parents through regular check-ins, community liaisons, and personalized communication, schools can better understand and meet the needs of families. This collaboration creates a more inclusive and supportive environment, paving the way for meaningful and lasting changes in education.

Offer concession in fees to students whose parents devote sincere time to institutes where their wards are studying. If not parents, any other willing & able member of student’s family should be allowed to do this