Where does a parent fit in effective change in education?

April 25, 2012

This morning I read a tweet from Chris Coyle (@chriscoyle), an Ontario vice principal, who was in attendance at a symposium hosted by the provincial superintendent’s organization. He quoted the speaker, Andy Hargreaves, “For effective change people need to feel a part of something bigger and need to be a valued part of the larger purpose.” This pushed forward my thinking on some things, as well as on some discussions I have been involved in recently about parents organizing in more formal structures.

If we can come to the agreement that a parent can have a role in education change and in larger purposes, what is the best way to go about this? Should they join and participate in whatever organized parent group they can? At how many levels – local, regional, provincial, national? I have been reading a few posts and articles lately about the essential role parents can have in education change if included at the school level:

Getting Bold With Parents by Will Richardson (@willrich45)

Building Proactive Parent-Teacher Relationships by José Vilson (@TheJLV)

Should parents be a part of education change by using social media platforms and networks? If they do, is it still necessary to be involved in organized parent committees and groups? Does this make them more “credible”? How and why?

And if a parent is considered a “parent leader”, what can/should that mean? Are they only leading parents? Helping the voices and input of other parents? Does it mean they are focused on supporting changes in education or supporting “student success” (however that might be defined). Can these focuses be one and the same, or how are they different?

And lastly, are parent leaders leading parents or ideas? If they are leading ideas or change, who can follow? Just parents, or other stakeholders? Who can benefit?

I think in questions all the time — answered or not, it helps my thinking and decision-making 🙂 I welcome any thoughts, even without the answers. And I welcome more questions 🙂

dougmckay
Apr 26, 2012 @ 12:20:02

Questions are always, in my opinion, a great way to think. My thoughts about parent involvement have not changed. I believe we ( the education system) need to find more effective ways to meaningfully engage parents. We must recognize the importance of their role and ask the questions; where? at what level? at home? in policy development? and on and on. Should we ask them? I think so.

What role should Boards of Education play? Do they know best? Is their thinking based on educational theory and research or political rhetoric (aka parents vote)? More questions?

The one thought I keep going back to is that parents have a critical role to play in public education. Exactly what that role is and how best it can implemented is the conversation that needs to happen. And sooner is better than later.

SStewart
May 05, 2012 @ 14:30:26

Thanks for your thoughts and additional questions, Doug. I certainly respect the efforts in BC and of your Ministry of Ed. to engage in similar dialogue about the “place” for parents in education.

Jacqui Strachan
Apr 27, 2012 @ 11:23:27

You always raise such great and challenging questions, Sheila! Parents are a messy bunch – we all have different beliefs and ideas, different amounts of time to commit, and different interests, so there is no one ‘parent voice’ out there.This can be a real challenge when trying to include parents in policy development and ‘larger purposes’. That is why I am comfortable with school councils and PICs having an advisory capacity. Schools and boards have to listen to parents, and have to respond, which is important, but they also have to balance the multiple competing interests among parents. Do we support whole language or phonics? Do we support fundraising or not? Do we want more homework or less? There will be parents on both sides of these questions.

Hopefully, what parent groups at all levels are doing is reaching out to ALL parents, making sure they have the capacity to share their thoughts if and when they see the need Any parent group that claims to ‘speak for parents’ is walking on dangerous ground! 🙂

The relationship between parents and the system should not be adversarial, or assumed to be adversarial. Most of the time, we work well together, and schools/boards will listen to and implement suggestions from parents where possible. Parents and ‘the system’ have the same goal – the success of students, and we need to always keep that in mind. It is the school/board’s job to listen to parents, try to find common ground and consensus, and try to act in the best interests of all while balancing competing ideas and positions. It can sometimes be a challenge, but there are lots of times that it works well, especially if all the players stay focused on the students, which is why we are all here.

Thanks for keeping us thinking, Sheila!

SStewart
May 05, 2012 @ 14:32:06

Thanks for adding to the thinking, Jacqui!

Heather Robinson
Apr 27, 2012 @ 12:53:23

“For effective change people need to feel a part of something bigger and need to be a valued part of the larger purpose.” This is a powerful statement.

Does anyone remember Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? After physiological and safety needs are fulfilled, the third layer of human needs are interpersonal and involve feelings of belongingness.

Sometimes it’s hard to feel like you belong if you are not included in any of the conversations. Including everyone is an impossible challenge, but if you at least show that you are making the effort to reach everyone, I think your chances of success are much higher. You also get brownie points in my book for being transparent. i.e. tell me who you spoke to, how you choose them, what steps did you take to offer me the chance to participate?

Heather