Q: Why is parental engagement an important part of student development?
A: “We know that when parents or caregivers are engaged, the research shows that you have better outcomes from students, because they feel supported by everybody in their ecology, in their community, in their family and at school,” says Tracy Hill, executive director of the office of family and community engagement at Cleveland Metropolitan School District. “We think about engagement as not just being at the school all the time. We think about those things that parents do at home to encourage and support their children by providing a space for homework, by encouraging kids to do their homework, by encouraging their kids do well in school. We’re thinking about parents as advocates who are advocating for good instructional practices in the schools, taking on leadership roles within the schools, being decision-makers.”
Ask the Experts: Why Parental Engagement Is Vital
Tracy Hill is the executive director of the office of family and community engagement at Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
