With parents/guardians of our generation juggling
heavy work schedules and home life, coupled with lack of knowledge on how to
partake in the educational system, a child’s academic potential and overall
well-being may become negatively affected as a result. Interventions pertaining to parental
involvement need to be implemented in order to help at-risk youth succeed at
the academic level and at the emotional level.
“Thirty
years of research shows that greater family involvement in children’s learning
is a critical link to achieving high quality education and a safe disciplined
learning environment for every student” (Burke, 226).
The issue with parental involvement (and lack thereof) in the special education program in particular is prevalent. Many parents of children with disabilities want to be involved in the whole special education process but they lack knowledge regarding available educational services and/or the training to advocate. However, parental involvement, particularly in the case of those students with disabilities is very important.
“Increased
parental involvement decreases high school drop-out rates and leads to higher
educational expectations. In addition,
parental involvement improves student attendance and decreases at-risk
behaviors” (Burke, 226).
What is
being done? Parents often do not know how
they can partake in the educational system. When they do, through parent-school meetings
for example, they are often faced with feelings of inadequacy and seldom feel
welcomed to chime in on discussion. This is why training special education
advocates becomes necessary. Advocacy
models such as the SEAT (Special Education Advocacy Training) Project and the
VAP (Volunteer Advocacy Project) are interventions which aim to train parents
of special education students advocate for their children. Both training projects differ in their approach
to training but their ultimate goal is very similar: support families of
students with disabilities in the educational system. Teachers can do their part too by encouraging
parents to become as involved in their child’s academic experience as possible. Constant communication between teacher and
parent becomes absolutely essential! In
addition, linking parents to valuable resources such as Parent’s Advocacy in the School would certainly be helpful.
References
Burke, Meghan M. “Improving Parental Involvement:
Training Special Education Advocates.” Journal
of Disability Policy Studies 23(4): 225-234. Print.
