Literature
Teachers need to understand the barriers to parental involvement in schools from the outside point of view. The "institutional perspective" is based on a deficit model that claims children who do not succeed in school have parents who do not get involved in school activities or support school goals at home (Finders & Lewis, 1994). Building positive home/school relations is interfered with by diverse contexts of parents lives, including school experiences that cause parents to feel mistrust or a lack of confidence in school settings. Diverse economic and time constraints that prevent involvement include work that doesn’t allow for autonomy or flexibility, financial constraints that prevent full participation in school culture (the lack of a sense of belonging creates barriers for parents). Finally, diverse linguistic and cultural practices are a barrier to involvement because of a lack of English fluency and children translating for parents at conferences is against some cultural norms (placing children at equal status as adults creates dysfunction in hierarchy). Finders and Lewis (1994) suggest the following for addressing the gap between parents who participate and those who don't:
Family involvement is likely to increase student achievement when it is connected to academic learning, which Allen (2008) suggests can be approached in three ways: 1. Building Respectful Relationships
Connection at the Club
traditional Spanish dishes. Her mother struggles with the English language, so this could be a barrier in her participation at the girl's school. Linguistic and cultural barriers often discourage involvement. The student's illustration (above, in black) was accompanied by a detailed list of her family member's ages. All the students I talk to speak highly of their families, but almost all of them wish they could spend more time together. Knowing that the students come from busy homes, it would be important for their educators to provide them with homework they could complete independently.
The Boys and Girls Club makes an active effort to involve parents and families in their club. Last night, (6/7) the student's families were invited to "Family Night." They painted a large canvas together, directed by the Club's art teacher, of a pond and lily pads. I spoke to one girl who was able to attend with her mother and brother, she enjoyed the night and was proud of her painting. It is excellent that the Club develops a relationship with their student's families and makes them feel welcome and involved.
2 Comments
Lakesia
6/17/2016 09:22:30 am
Hello Mekayla,
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Mekayla
6/17/2016 11:36:08 am
Hello, Professor!
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