Shaun Black of Michigan served as Assistant Superintendent of schools in the Detroit area. Throughout his tenure, Shaun Black, Ph.D., has been focused on increasing student achievement and success in education. In the following article, Shaun Black discusses the importance of parental involvement in education, and how fostering strong partnerships between parents and schools not only enhances the learning experience but also lays the foundation for thriving communities.

Recent years have seen an uptick in schools across the country involving and engaging parents in more activities. From homework to in-school events and beyond, educators are tapping into the ever-growing body of research concluding parent-school partnerships are beneficial for students’ social and academic success.

Shaun Black of Michigan explains that thirty years of study prove family involvement is the cornerstone of students remaining committed to education, achieving higher grades, improving behavior, and attaining mutual respect. Unfortunately, institutions often fail to garner parental engagement due to inattentiveness to parents’ perspectives, indifference to individuality, and unclear communication. “How can educators achieve this elusive parental support?” is the question on the tip of many principals’ tongues.

Thankfully, the Michigan Department of Education is taking steps to give all schools in the state a parent/guardian engagement toolkit to supply every student with this grade-boosting family collaboration.

Shaun Black, Ph.D. Explains the Importance of Parental Involvement and Engagement in Education

Some parents believe involvement is ensuring their child’s homework is complete and taking them to school. And even though these things are helpful, the American Psychology Association says it isn’t enough. Shaun Black of Michigan notes that shared responsibility should be the name of the game — parents, educators, and other school staff working to support and improve learning, development, and health of their children/students.

Only when this collaboration is achieved will institutions and their pupils reap these fundamentally vital rewards of parental involvement and engagement:

Decreased Absenteeism

Pasela research shows parental involvement increases the likelihood of children skipping school. When parents become more active in their children’s academic lives, they’re subconsciously encouraging their kids to go to school every day, shielding them from following disadvantages of high absenteeism rates:

• Hindered social skill development, particularly self-efficacy, self-management, and social awareness
• Decreased academic achievement
• School drop outs (Longitudinal Attendance Patterns author, Jason A. Schoeneberger, notes dropping out of school has long-term consequences, like crime involvement, low income, and spates of unemployment.)

Higher Grades and Test Scores

A study of 71 Title I elementary schools across the country determined that when teachers interacted with parents face-to-face, discussed trouble areas over the phone, and sent useful resources home, students’ achievements in math and reading improved. Shaun Black of Michigan explains that experts deduce that stronger relationships between guardians and their children’s education produce better test results and grades.

Mutual Respect

Educators who engage families can foster partnerships deep-rooted in mutual respect.
Shaun Black of Michigan says that recognizing that parents have valuable understandings of their children’s learning requirements is the first step on this trust-building journey. As time ticks forward, guardians will begin to understand the training and expertise teachers must aid student learning. After all, there’s no way to know a pupil’s full story without connecting with those they live with.

Improved Behavior

Mountains of research papers point toward the notion that parental involvement and engagement in education has strong positive influences on children’s in-classroom behavior. Not to mention the nuanced social skills they pick up as a result.

Shaun Black of Michigan reports that an Education Northwest analysis concluded active parent involvement is more beneficial than the passive variety for enhancements in attitudes and behaviors. However, when active involvement can’t be achieved, passive is better than none at all.

Enhanced Communication

The mutual respect constructed over time between parents and teachers offers the former ample chances to understand the school and its education style better. And since every child is different, a direct relationship between guardian and educator helps the latter work toward meeting ever-unique needs.

Michigan International Prep School Proves Parent-School Partnerships Boost Success
Shaun Black, Ph.D. says that one school in particular has a profound understanding of the imperative nature of parental involvement in education, detailing an entire Parent and Family Engagement Policy to ensure every member of staff works toward the grand aim of encouraging active collaboration.

Michigan International Prep School is in regular communication with its students and families and supplies digital tools to offer transparency into academic performance on a daily basis. Shaun Black of Michigan says that as outlined in the policy, the establishment implements programs, procedures, and activities to involve parents, alongside helping them understand various topics, such as the state’s academic content/achievement standards, local assessments, and how they can monitor their child’s progress.

Shaun Black of Michigan notes that while this is an ongoing project, reports note MIPS’ student success correlates to how active their parents or guardians were throughout their school life.