Purpose and Significance

My topic of focus for the action research project is to focus on parent involvement in our schools. While focusing on parent involvement I can also look at the affects that it can have on our students academics and behaviors. This is important to me in order for our students to learn the best they can. Everyone needs home support and if we can find ways to reach the additional support they need, we may be able to fix a broken link in the school system and possibly have better results in school. Speaking with my site supervisor, this is a relevant topic which can help aid in other areas, if we are able to find a way to connect with our parents. 

Purpose

           Growing up in a family with two parents, I was one who always had parents involved in my education. My parents were my "driving force" behind me that kept me motivated and participating correctly in school everyday. My purpose for researching the affects of parent involvement is in order to find a way to help our students become successful in school and at home as well. Working at a Title I school, we have very limited parent involvement with their students education. In many scenarios, we may call home to find a number that does not work, or an uncooperative parent who does not want to participate in homework with their child. This affects the child ability to be successful as well as their view on the value of their education. Parent, teacher organization are intended to help bridge the gap between school and home, however their attendance is very slim which results in minimal to none activities. With the lowering amount of parents staying involved in their education, our campus has also noticed a dramatic increase in behavioral problems with several students. I personally believe that learning involves a network of people, including the parents, students and the I am going to further examine the affects of parent involvement, for every year at my campus students are changing, their behaviors are changing, and educating them is more challenging.

Significance

             As students develop socially and the curriculum they learn becomes more rigorous, they are in need of outside support. Teachers are able to support students in many ways however parents have a great power to influence as well. Understanding how to encourage parent help, will be a key component in student success.

Finding the career demographics of my area can also help me decide on times that are useful to the parents. Possibly inviting parents into the classroom during the school day to help or to read with students could be a positive activity as well. I would like our campus to function as a network system and involve the parents in this network as well. If I can better understand the parents' involvement, I hope to be able to help students be more successful in their learning, help them behave and find a network of people to help them control behaviors, lessening the time spent in ISS will enhance more time spent in the classroom learning material.