Research Question:
Parents’ Involvement in their child’s school has been on the decline for years all over the country. I want to research what new ways we can’t draw in parents who are not participating. I would like to see how many parents would be more open to email and other means as a way to communicate with the school. So my question is going to be; How can Parent Involvement be improved at a school using technology and other means? OR Why are parents not more visible in the school setting, and how can we change this?
Setting
This research will be taking place in an elementary school in Charlotte, NC. XYZ Elementary is a Partial Magnet School serving 768 students across K-5. XYZ Elementary is a melting pot of diversity, with 51% of the students being African American, 25% Hispanic, 14% Caucasian, 7% Asian, and 4% Multi-Racial. I have some very interesting statistics when it comes to Parents. The school has confirmed that 93% of the parents attended at least one conference with the teacher last year. A Family Survey showed that 98% of the parents felt the principal and teachers try to provide a safe environment for the students. The school has 75 staff members, 28% of which have master’s degrees or higher. The average years teachers on the staff have taught is 11.7. The school is percentage points away from being a Title I school, at 72% Free and Reduced Lunch. The Magnet Talent Development Program adds a dimension of accelerated learning at the school. There is also a Multi-Age program where the students are with the same teacher for three years in K-2.
Research Participants:
Since this is such a large school, I planned on interviewing parents from the different areas of learning in the school. I would like to interview a parent from the Multi-Age classrooms, a parent from the K-2 and 3-5 regular education classrooms, a parent from the TD classrooms, and a parent from the PTA advisory board. The principal has been an educator at the school for many years, and received her leadership degree while teaching in the classroom there. I would like to interview her as well. I haven’t decided whether are not to include a new and veteran staff member to add to the mix.
I hope I haven’t created something with this that will be too much to do…..
Comments (9)
Sorry! I forgot to put my name at the bottom of my post! Matt Maurer
Posted by Matt Maurer | January 31, 2009 10:30 AM
Posted on January 31, 2009 10:30
Sorry! I forgot to put my name at the bottom of my post! Matt Maurer
Posted by Matt Maurer | January 31, 2009 10:30 AM
Posted on January 31, 2009 10:30
Matt, I know that my wife being an elementary teacher has seen both sides of the fence. She taught at a Title 1 school for years and now is not at a Title 1 school. I have seen and heard her talk about the difference in the two. Naturally she is very greatful for the parent involvement, but she also misses seeing the faces of some of the less fortuante kids when they did have a parent come in. She also looked at ways to bring other people in from the community to be mentors for those kids. That will be great to hear of your findings, I know she will love hearing about them.
Posted by Scott Harrill | January 31, 2009 5:57 PM
Posted on January 31, 2009 17:57
Matt,
I'm glad you're focusing on parent involvement, because I think it can really affect a child's improvement in school. I think I like your second research question better, though, because the reliance on technology in a Title 1 school may not work as well, as many parents might not have as much access to technology as they would to other means of outreach & communication. I think that by answering the question of why parents aren't as visible, you may find new, easier methods of involving them in their children's education. I look forward to seeing what you discover in your research!
Posted by Tara Smith | February 1, 2009 8:15 PM
Posted on February 1, 2009 20:15
Matt-
I think this is an important issue that all schools struggle with at some point. It is important to know you have the support of parents when as teachers you realize the great impact they have on their child's education. Your first question is good but a little unclear. I am not sure what other methods might mean. If you go with question... I might just leave off that last part unless you are more specific about what they might be. The second question is good... but it all depends on what you want to research. How it helps would be question one and What parents want/need is question two. Good Luck.
Posted by Erin Jaynes (Nikki) | February 1, 2009 11:30 PM
Posted on February 1, 2009 23:30
Matt -
I will be interested in seeing the results of your research. This is the area where our school scores the lowest on teacher and parent surveys. The teachers blame the parents and the parents blame the teachers! I agree with Nikki - if you go with the 1st question, define what "other means" you plan on using, or if you go with the 2nd, you might think about wording it to reflect increasing parent involvement as a result of finding out why parents aren't involved.
Posted by Amanda | February 2, 2009 10:03 PM
Posted on February 2, 2009 22:03
How about this:
How can technology help to increase parent involvement at a school?
Posted by Matt Maurer | February 3, 2009 11:45 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 23:45
Yep - your newest research question is precise yet open-ended.
Your idea of interviewing 5 parents will be manageable. Will you ask the teachers to identify the parents for you to cut down on the time it will take to set up things?
Posted by Alecia Jackson | February 4, 2009 11:25 AM
Posted on February 4, 2009 11:25
While this subject can be very touchy for most people, my opinion is that there has to be a middle or common ground that we all can find. I do appreciate that you've added relevant and intelligent commentary here though. Thanks!
Posted by remove unwanted hair | November 27, 2011 4:17 AM
Posted on November 27, 2011 04:17