Tips for Schools
Encourage parental participation in school improvement efforts.

When schools develop improvement plans, families should be included at every stage of the process in order to get their input and to give them a sense of shared responsibility. Many schools, supported by the new Goals 2000: Educate America Act, are now developing such plans. They are working to raise academic standards, improve teaching, make schools safer, introduce computers and other learning technologies into the classroom, and to make many other vitally needed changes. The full involvement of parents and other members of the community is instrumental to the success of these efforts.

Involve parents in decision-making.

Schools can give parents a more effective voice by opening up the school governance process so that more parents can participate. Many schools hold evening and weekend meetings and conferences to accommodate families' work schedules.

Give teachers the tools to reach out to families.

Staff development can help teachers to understand the benefits of family involvement and show them how to remove barriers to involvement. These tools improve two- way communication between home and schools, and suggest ways to help meet families' overall educational needs.

For more information, ideas, and publications, visit the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.

Involve Families | Learn to Communicate | Encourage Parental Participation | Welcome Parents | Overcome Language Barriers | Use Technology

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