Parent Involvement in Local Schools

By Vanessa White

This essay is the first of three blogs that I wrote for Soapbox Cincinnati (http://www.soapboxmedia.com) in spring 2009.

"In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a mother or father who will attend those parent/teacher conferences, or help with homework after dinner, or turn off the TV, put away the video games, and read to their child. I speak to you not just as a President, but as a father when I say that the responsibility for our children's education must begin at home!"

REMARKS OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA Address to Joint Session of Congress Tuesday, February 24, 2009

After I read the email and reflected on it, I thought to myself that if my friend and I had been in the same room while these words were being spoken, our eyes would have met in silent agreement.

I replied by writing a single word in the subject box: YES.

It seems everyone has an opinion on what it will take to improve our schools. Some so-called solutions are so complicated that they end up being more about politics and fancy gimmicks than student achievement. The simple truth + reflected in President Obama's words yet often taken for granted + is that few things are more critical to the success of our local schools than parent involvement and school districts have always appreciated this.

Fortunately, more and more supporters of our schools are shining a light on the role that parents play in school achievement. Regional initiatives like Strive and Agenda 360 and have helped advance the cause by placing a high priority on the issue of parental involvement as part of their strategies.

I have seen first hand the impact a group of committed parents can have on a school. The Cincinnati Public Schools my five children have attended + Sands Montessori, North Avondale Montessori, Walnut Hills and Clark Montessori + all benefit from strong parent involvement. However, I've also had the privilege of working as a volunteer alongside a committed group of parents at Rockdale Academy in the Avondale community. Rockdale is often labeled as an "underachieving" school. Yet, inside its walls, there is a solid stream of parents dedicated to the school success making the prospects strong for its improvement.

Three of these Rockdale parents, along with 25 others from a variety of Cincinnati Public Schools, are now enrolled in the Parent Leadership Institute, a 60-hour comprehensive and voluntary leadership development program for parent engagement. I had the honor of bringing the program to Cincinnati in 2007 when I chaired the board of Parents for Public Schools of Greater Cincinnati.

Those who enroll recognize that parent involvement does indeed matter. They are honored for their commitment at a graduation ceremony, and then sent forth to lead volunteer efforts in their schools. This is no easy task. I know from personal experience that it is not easy for parents to find time to take part in activities with their children and volunteer in their schools. With the economic hardships surrounding all of us, it is even more difficult for many parents to find the time and emotional energy to get deeply involved in their children's education.

And yet, for these very reasons, there may be no more important investment that any parent can make. We need more parent involvement but we should be proud of those parents at Rockdale and other schools who are leading the way.