Parent participation
Parent participation is a research-based measure from the Tell Them From Me surveys. It is a source of evidence linked to What Works Best and the School Excellence Framework.
What is it?
Parent participation can entail assisting in the classroom, attending school events, such as assemblies and meetings, or participating in excursions and other learning opportunities outside the classroom.
The Tell Them From Me surveys ask parents about their participation in school activities, including parent-teacher meeting, school committees and other volunteering opportunities across the school. The results are reported as the percentage of parents participating to various degrees.
Why is it important?
Student learning is enhanced by collaboration between the school, community, and home. Home-school partnerships help connect parents to the school, and in the process, benefit students. Attending parent-teacher meetings and volunteering at school are found to be particularly beneficial to support students' academic outcomes.
School improvement links
| School Excellence Framework element | What works best theme |
|---|---|
| Reporting | Wellbeing |
| Educational leadership |
Evidence base
Epstein, J. L., Sanders, M. G., Simon, B. S., Salinas, K. C., Jansorn, N. R., & Van Voorhis, F. L. (2002). School, family, and community partnerships: Your handbook for action (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Miedel, W. T., & Reynolds, A. J. (2000). Parent involvement in early intervention for disadvantaged children: Does it matter? Journal of School Psychology, 37(4), 379-402.
Simon, B. S. (2004). High school outreach and family involvement. Social Psychology of Education, 7(2), 185-209.
Sui-Chu, E. H., & Willms, J. D. (1996). Effects of parental involvement on eighth-grade achievement. Sociology of Education, 69(2), 126-141.
Explainers of the Tell Them From Me measures have been produced in collaboration with The Learning Bar. The Tell Them From Me measures are provided by, and remain the intellectual property of, The Learning Bar. The explainers can also be found online within the Tell Them From Me portal. Tell Them From Me and TTFM are trademarks of The Learning Bar.