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Overcoming Barriers to Parent Involvement |
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| Roadblock |
Detour |
| Parent feels intimidated |
- Extend a personal welcome.
- Highlight skills that parents bring to the partnership.
- Supply information about the initiative ahead of time (e.g., mission, selected
strategies, other members) so new members aren't lost.
- Avoid jargon.
- Keep things simple and concrete.
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| |
|
| Parent feels unwelcome |
- Use an informal meeting style.
- Don't ask one or two people to "represent" a sector.
- Have students report on activities at school.
- Use inclusive language (e.g., parents and caregivers) to recognize nontraditional
families.
- Provide a snack.
- Provide continual opportunities for parents to join the team.
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| |
|
| Parent has scheduling conflicts |
- Try a mix of morning, evening, and weekend meetings.
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| |
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| Parent doesn't have childcare |
- Find an available room for child care at the meeting site.
- Ask school/community members to volunteer to provide child care on a rotating
basis.
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| |
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| Parent doesn't have transportation |
- Arrange for car pools.
- Hold meetings and events in locations that are near public transportation.
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| |
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| Parent has a language barrier |
- Provide interpreters for workshops and meetings.
- Create bi-/multilingual publications.
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Adapted from National PTA (2000). Building Successful Partnerships: A Guide
for Developing Parent and Family Involvement Programs. Bloomington, IN: National
Educational Service.
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Last Modified: 06/30/2008
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