Strengthening Parental Involvement in Education Through Home Visitation in Twelve Selected Elementary Schools in Calatagan, Batangas

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Home visitation is one program that can establish positive contact and communication with families. They are done by teachers to provide parents with ways to help their children increase achievement in school while staying in the comforts of their own home. Visits done by teachers have various impacts on the behavior and performance of pupils. This is why the researcher focused on determining teachers' perceptions of home visitation as a tool for strengthening parental involvement in education in terms of pupils' performance and school-related activities.

METHODS

A descriptive method of research was used in this study. It was designed to collect data about the present condition which, in this case, was home visitation as a tool to strengthen parental involvement in education as perceived by elementary teachers. One-hundred eighteen(18) elementary teachers were selected using the lottery method. A research questionnaire was used by the researcher as the main instrument in the study. Weighted mean was used to assess the perceptions of teachers on home visitation.

RESULTS

The teacher-respondents perceived that home visitation strengthened parental involvement in education in terms of pupils' performance. This was evident in decreased absenteeism rate due to parental support and monitoring and decreased the number of pupils cutting classes because of strong parental guidance and monitoring. It was also apparent with lowered drop-out rates as parents became aware of the importance of their children's education. These reflected that home visitation was beneficial in keeping pupils in school and continuing their education. Home visits were also perceived by teachers to have impacts on pupils' school-related activities. These impacts were seen as parents became encouraged to act as classroom helpers. They also became a motivated mentor or tutor pupils in school. Parents were also inspired to help children with special needs in school. These explained that home visitation practices were important in instilling a sense of volunteerism among parents.

DISCUSSIONS

The results revealed that home visitation had a significant effect in strengthening parental involvement in children's education in terms of pupils' performance and school-related activities. However, teachers may face different challenges in conducting home visits. A study about these challenges may also be conducted.