parent engagement vc ian palmer

Parental Engagement

Ian Palmer7th Sept 2011

ian@schoolsindustry.com.au

Schools

Family Community

Epstein: Theory of Overlapping Spheres of Influence

Schools

Family

Community

Experience,Philosophy,Practices of Family

Experience,Philosophy,Practices of Community

Experience,Philosophy,Practices of School

Epstein: Theory of Overlapping Spheres of Influence

Schools

Family

Community

Force A Time/Age/Grade Level

Epstein: Theory of Overlapping Spheres of Influence

Epstein’s ResearchODivision or Multiplication of labour

OEffective parent programs don’t happen by chance

OLeadership and a new pedagogy for all parents, not just the easy ones

Epstein’s Six Types of Engagement

1. Good parenting, 2. Family-school two way

communications, 3. Quality volunteering, 4. Supporting learning at home, 5. Helping the school’s decision

making, 6. Collaborating with the broader

community

Parents can make or break a school.

If parents value education and hold high expectations for their children, success in the classroom is augmented through leadership from the home.

(Dayton & Tidyman, 2010; Epstein, 2010; Epstein & Dauber, 1991; Henderson & Mapp, 2002; Price, 2008; Schneider, Keesler, & Morlock, 2010).

Key Points

Teacher-Parent Collaborative Leadership

External factors: Low SES, CALD, time poor parents (Epstein 2010; Hattie 2009)

Joint leadership for student success targeting ALL parents

Complements teacher leadership models… (Bezzina,

2007; Cranston, 200; Hallinger, 2007; Harris, 2003)

Career TransitionNeeds of adolescents change

as they lose interest in school (Kemple and Snipes (2000) .

79% of parents feel they don’t know enough to help (Perkins & Peterson, 2005).

Declines in parents self-efficacy, perceived invitations from the child and student interest

Increases in students disengagement and dropping out.

Career AcademyParents key to success

Guest speakersStructured Workplace Learning Industry VisitsSkill demonstrationsLinking academic subjects to real

occupations and industries

33% less drop outs under Career Academy model – RCT (Kemple and Snipes (2000)

Discussion Point 1With regard to the notion of Parent-Teacher collaborative leadership:

What aspects strike accord or resonates with you?

Discussion Point 2In the spirit of Hattie’s research…

What do you feel works best with parents?

Process i. 1 minute individual brain dump on post-its ii. 2 minute small group discussioniii. 3 minute class discussion

Discussion Point 3 How might a school go about developing a program for student success in partnerships with parents?

Anthony Robins

“If you always do, what you have always done,

you will always get, what you have always got’.