The Level of Parents’ Involvement in School Programs, Projects, and Activities: The Experience of Palo Alto integrated School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The No Child Left Behind Act pushes for an increase in parental involvement for students today. According to NEA Education Policy 2008, there is a correlation between higher academic performance and school improvement and the involvement of parents, family, and community in the education of their children. Students tend to earn higher grades, attend school more regularly, stay in school longer, and enroll in higher-level programs when there is a synergetic effort among schools, parents, families, and communities. But in Palo Alto Integrated School, it was observed that many parents constantly fail to come to school during card distribution or even attend school programs and activities.

METHODS

This study applied the procedures of both quantitative and qualitative designs or mixed-methods. Survey questionnaire was used to determine the demographic profile of the respondents. In-depth interviews and focus group discussion (FGD) were conducted. A total of 317 parents were included as respondents in the data gathering. Answer sheets from the respondents were collated for tallying, analysis, and interpretation that will lead to findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Data on how the school involved parents including the perceptions, effectiveness, communication channel used by the school to involve parents were analyzed.

RESULTS

The results show that crafting a school plan that will help increase parents’ participation in school programs and activities by optimizing and exploring alternative means of communicating with parents. There is a need to provide relevant and interesting school activities that may entice the parents to come to school beyond the required card-giving sessions and get involved and organize formation sessions that will promote a culture of mutual understanding and support among parents and the school, and open opportunities for parent education, may it be on literacy or livelihood.

DISCUSSIONS

The results show that crafting a school plan that will help increase parents’ participation in school programs and activities by optimizing and exploring alternative means of communicating with parents. There is a need to provide relevant and interesting school activities that may entice the parents to come to school beyond the required card-giving sessions and get involved and organize formation sessions that will promote a culture of mutual understanding and support among parents and the school, and open opportunities for parent education, may it be on literacy or livelihood.