Monday, November 4, 2013

Truth #2: The evidence that parent involvement can make a significant difference in student achievement is beyond question.

Research finds that while socioeconomic status is important, the best predictors of student achievement are:
  • A home environment that encourages learning.
  • Parents' high expectations for achievement and future careers.
  • Parents being involved in a child's education.
So, what are the magic ingredients called "outreach" to parents?  Research says...
  • Meeting face to face with parents.
  • Sending materials home to parents on ways to help their child at home.
  • Telephoning parents, both routinely and when their child is having problems.
Based on research, LES has all bases covered on involving our parents in the education of their child.

What do you think has been the most important "outreach" to parents from your classroom?

43 comments:

Kim said...

I think the most important outreach to parents has been homework. We make sure in Kindergarten that we provide a homework sheet that goes home on Monday and is returned on Friday. Parents are able to work with their child on what we are teaching in the classroom. Ex. sight words, letters, sounds, reading passage, DIBELS practice, and math skills. By doing homework parents are aware of what is being taught in the classroom and they are able to reinforce it at home. The homework does not take very long, but has a big impact on student success.

Cynthia K. Graham said...

I feel that our Weekly News sheet is a very valuable resource for parents. It provides them with important information as well as homework assignments for the week.
Parents that use this resource seem to have very responsible and motivated students. They work throughout the week on skills and fluency practice resulting in confident students.

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, the most important outreach to parents has been having open communication in a variety of ways. In third grade we use Remind101 (text messaging), email, weekly printed newsletters, lesmoodle.tcboe.org (with info and lessons), parent conferences, weekly Tuesday folders, and class websites to keep parents informed.

Laurie said...

Student planners and Remind101 have been "game changers" for my classroom. Students are able to inform their parents each day of what is going on at school through their planners. Remind101 has provided a way for me to send reminders as needed and my parents seem to really appreciate this free tool.

C. Taylor said...

I think the most important outreach to parents has been remind 101, email, Tuesday Folders, and parent conferences.

Christy said...

I think that the best outreach occurs immediately at meet the teacher night. A positive first impression of their child's teacher smooths the way for everything that lies ahead for students and parents.

Mrs. Pearson said...

In Kindergarten students are given weekly homework that provides parents the opportunity to review the skills their child is learning in the classroom at home each night. This has a huge impact on student achievement.

Unknown said...

Weekly newsletter/homework sheet, Remind 101, email, conferences, and Tuesday folders.

Unknown said...

Weekly newsletter/homework sheet, Remind 101, email, conferences, and Tuesday folders.

Allison Miles said...

Planners, weekly newsletters, emails, and phone calls all go a long way to help keep our parents informed and get them involved, but I feel student-led conferences have the biggest impact. Hearing information from the students in a scripted manner so that all of the important things are covered really gets the parents attention.

Unknown said...

I feel that it is very important to keep parents informed. That is why the use of student planners, Moodle, and weekly newsletters is so important. Parents need to know what is going on in the classroom so that they can help their child at home.

Unknown said...

In kindergarten students are giving homework nightly , which gives parents an opportunity to practice and review skills with their children.

Anna said...

I use communication journals within my resource room as a home to school communication tool. I also make parent phone calls when needed.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the research. Meeting a parent face to face makes a difference in your relationship with your parent. It also allows the parent to discuss what is working or what isn't working. I have found that some parents have misconceptions about homework, procedures. Etc. Sitting down with a parent makes a world of difference in the success of a student.

Shannon Hill said...

In 3rd Grade we involve parents in many ways, but my favorite way is Remind 101. I try to send out weekly reminders. My parents have really expressed how they enjoyed this feature. We also use Moodle, newletters, Leadership Notebooks, etc.

Shannon Hill said...

In 3rd Grade we involve parents in many ways, but my favorite way is Remind 101. I try to send out weekly reminders. My parents have really expressed how they enjoyed this feature. We also use Moodle, newletters, Leadership Notebooks, etc.

Emily Brown said...

I think the most important outreach to parents in my room has been our newsletter/homework sheet. It provides parents with a chance to work with their child at home and see the strategies we are working in class. I also think Moodle is a close second to the newsletter. I love that my parents can log on to Moodle and see what their children are practicing during the day, as well as, have their child practice at home with them.

Mrs. Dunston said...

Newsletter are great. I also love Remind 101 and wish more parents would sign up for it because it is instant and does not require the child to relay anything to the parent.

Crystal said...

I have seen more participation this year with my weekly homework sheet and parents have used the newsletter this year. They seem more informed than parents before, although these are forms of communication I've used for several years.

Anonymous said...

Tuesday Folders has been a very reliable way to communicate with parents. They expect to see this folder with pertinent information weekly and it helps them stay involved in their child's progress. Email, student planners and Remind 101 is also use to keep parents informed and involved.

Anonymous said...

Tuesday Folders has been a very reliable way to communicate with parents. They expect to see this folder with pertinent information weekly and it helps them stay involved in their child's progress. Email, student planners and Remind 101 is also use to keep parents informed and involved.

Ms. Young said...

I think the most important outreach to parents is my class newsletter and weekly folders.

Deborah said...

I feel that my weekly news letter keeps the line of communication between me and parents. It provides information on all content that will be covered during the week, contact information, and a variety of other things. This helpful resource allows parents to be informed of what will be taking place during the week.
D. Mendoza

Pam Hicks said...

I think using the following resources: Weekly Newsletters, Homework Folders, Tuesday Test Folders, Remind 101, emails are all great resources that allow parents to be involved with their child's education. Student-Led Conferences are also a wonderful way for the students and parents to come together with the teacher to discuss and share, goals, accomplishments, questions, or concerns.

Kathy said...

I agree with what the research says about the connection between parental involvement and student achievement. Parents are able to be involved in their child's education through weekly newsletters, Tuesday Folders, Remind 101, emails, phone calls, and student-led conferences.

Megan said...

The daily binders are a wonderful way to ensure parents involvement in their child's education. The binder holds weekly homework,important information for our class, and more. I particularly like that the binder has blank paper for parent/teacher communication. The papers stay in the binder all year and is a great way to communicate back and forth and to look back on later in the year if there are any questions or problems.

Billy Hopkins said...

Parent contact that is both positive and encouraging is the most valuable communication. Mom and dad don't want to only hear about "Little Johnny" when he does something wrong in class. Those moments of success should be shared also. Data notebooks are helpful, but data can often be skewed because of "other" grades that factor into a students grade. The "test" grades give a good baseline, but if a student doesn't complete class work or projects the. Those scores do not reflect an accurate account. Remind101 helps keep parents reminded of upcoming events. Positive contact outside of the school setting has also proven valuable in my class.

Mrs. Amanda Spurling said...

I feel student-led conferences have made a great impact on student achievement. Students prepare what they are going to say to lead the conference. This gives them ownership of their learning and teaches responsibility. I also meet with all the parents. Sometimes if students are doing great they still need time set aside to celebrate their successes!

Anonymous said...

Test ~ Vickie Cox

Ashley Adams said...

We try to keep the parents updated on important events on the newsletter/homework sheet. It is also a good way to communicate the skills being taught for the week. Also, I use Remind101 to remind parents about due dates, etc.

Anonymous said...

Monique Chatman: The monthly newsletter is the most effective way I communicate with parents. I also send home letters any time during the week when students say, "Mom doesn't understand...". I try my best to build a good relationship with all of my parents because the truth of the matter is that it takes teachers and parents working together to do what is best for our students.

Anonymous said...

Tiffany said...

I think the most important outreach to parents has been remind 101, email, daily binders, and parent phone calls.

Anonymous said...

Michel Haney said, the most effective weekly outreach is our 2nd grade newsletter. It contains special notes, weekly lessons, and other important details.
i will add though nothing beats face-to-face conversations!

Anonymous said...

G. Fincher said...

Communication notebooks are sent home daily for parents to review and sign. This keeps the parents informed on what skill(s) is worked on daily. I give parents my contact numbers and email address for them to contact me at any needed time.

Myra Edwards said...

Our leadership notebooks with the planners is the best tool for communication with my parents. Students write down what I have written on my planner to ensure that we are on the same page and the communication is clear. Parents write me notes and I also send comments to parents by using their planners and leadership notebooks.

Unknown said...

Leadership notebooks which include daily work, homework, newsletter, conduct chart, and parent-teacher communication section have been the most effective tool to stay connected with parents this year.

Juliet Pruitt said...

After the Thanksgiving holiday, I needed to collect supplies for the school wide Christmas tree and the ornaments for those trees. I sent a letter home asking for parents to help out by bringing in paper boxes, paper tubes, etc to make recycled ornaments. The response I got was incredible! I had so many boxes and tubes I started to run out of space for them!
I was so impressed that just a simple letter home would give such an amazing outcome. And students were excited to bring me their boxes and tubes, some of them brought something new each day. Without reaching out to parents, I would have not been able to collect nearly the amount of supplies I received.

Holly said...

Email and informational letters are the best ways that I keep in touch with my parents

Mrs. Hendrix's Class said...

Remind 101 has been the most effective means of communication to my parents this school year. Although they can't text back, they are sure to read the reminders, notices, and information that I send being that most everyone carries cell phones in hand now. Tuesday folders, newsletters, emails, and conferences have also been great communication tools.

Ms. Tidmore's 1st Grade said...

The most important outreach as for as achievement is homework. Getting skills reinforced at home one on one by a parent is always evident in achievement.

Anonymous said...

The most effective form of communication for my classroom is the daily folder.

Jodi said...

I use daily Pride Planners and Remind 101.

Randi Stephens said...

I communicate with parents by using PRIDE Planners, Remind 101, and Weekly Newsletters.