STRONGER LINK: CREATING BETTER TIESWITH PARENTS

Catherine M. Gaza Teachers are always considered as the second parents of the students. They are the ones vested with the responsibility of honing the skills and knowledge of students while in school. But primarily, “biological parents” would as well have the role to take in educating the learners even within the premises of the school. This is where parental involvement in the school gets in.

Parent Involvement is used broadly in the teaching world. It includes several different forms of participation in education and with the schools. Parents can support their children's schooling by attending school functions and responding to school obligations like parent-teacher conferences.

They can become more involved in helping their children improve their school works. Parents who take great parts in the affairs of their children in school and even in school programs are unconsciously helping their kids to do well in school. This is because students see that efforts exerted by their parents to reach to their status and condition in the class. Parental engagement in schools improves student achievement, reduces absenteeism, and restores parents’confidence in their children’s education. Students with involved parents or guardians earn higher grades and test scores, have better social skills, and show improved behavior.

It is undeniably necessary for teachers to foster good relationship with the parents of the learners to ensure them that their children are in good hands when in school premises. This increases closer relations between the parents, teachers and the school, in hopes that they may cooperate intelligently in the education of the children. This as well provides a support network to both parents and teachers.

Communication plays a key role in maintaining good linkages to the parents of our students. Communication between parent and teacher helps keep each informed of key information regarding the academic states of the learners. This is useful to know about the teacher’s academic expectations, grading system, school policies and program of activities. This keeps the parents informed and updated. Teachers also need information from parents to help them work with the students and understand their educational needs.

Students with parents who are involved in their school tend to have fewer behavioral problems and better academic performance, and are more likely to finish high school than students whose parents are not involved in the school. Parents and teachers should build better ties for the betterment of the students. This is an evidence of excellence of shaping the students to be good both inside and outside of the school.

--oOo-The author is Teacher III at Betis High School, Guagua Pampanga.