How Community Schools Can Transform Parent Involvement for the Better
Parent involvement in education is crucial for student success and overall school improvement. However, politicians and policy leaders have often misinterpreted and misrepresented the role of parents in education, leading to false impressions and divisive stances. Community schools, gaining traction in various states and districts, seek to change this narrative and emphasize collaborative parent involvement.
Community schools address the holistic needs of students and families, making schools essential hubs of services and activities for the surrounding communities. The approach aims to involve parents as collaborators rather than skeptics or consumers. Schools using this strategy intentionally engage parents in policy-making and program development. They conduct assessments of parents’ needs, interests, and assets within the community to understand the community’s challenges better and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Maryland is one state that has embraced the community schools approach. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Act converts nearly one-third of Maryland schools into community schools. These schools have a school-based coordinator who determines specific needs, such as academic and language support, nutrition, and medical and mental health care.
At Wheaton Woods Elementary School in Maryland, adopting the community school approach has significantly changed parent involvement. Principal Daman Harris believes parents should be involved in determining school priorities and decision-making. Community school coordinator Daysi Castro conducted listening sessions to understand parents' hopes and dreams for their children and used this input to create various afterschool programs to meet their needs.
One significant need that emerged from the listening sessions was childcare, as it can be expensive and restrict parents' ability to assist with homework. Wheaton Woods responded by partnering with community organizations to offer afterschool programs and classes, including soccer, art, Spanish language, and homework and cooking clubs. The school also collaborates with the county recreation department to provide additional activities.
The efforts have been well-received by parents, with many expressing gratitude for the opportunities provided to their children and their involvement in the school. The school works to accommodate the diverse language needs of its community, offering meetings and communications in multiple languages.
In conclusion, community schools are transforming parent involvement in education by emphasizing collaboration and addressing the holistic needs of students and families. The success of this approach is evident in schools like Wheaton Woods Elementary, where parents feel valued and engaged, leading to positive outcomes for students and the broader community.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
