parent involvement

1. Parent Involvement
Epstein’s Six Types of Parent Involvement
Emily Knipp
SOE 115- Psychology of Teaching and Learning
Kendall College

2. OVERVIEW OF THE STRATEGY
The Six Types of Parent Involvement have been researched by Joyce Epstein
PhD. Epstein’s research focuses on how leadership at the district and school
levels affects the quality of a school’s programs on family and community
involvement and on results for students‘. Through this research she has
developed these six types of parent involvement : parenting,
communicating, volunteering, learning at home, decision making, and
collaborating with community. Each of these types of involvement play a
role in the success of children’s developmental success. The framework that
Epstein has developed helps districts and teachers to encourage parent
involvement .
I wanted to learn more about these six types of parent involvement because I
have wanted to learn about the impact of parent involvement in the
classroom.
SOE 115: Psychology of Teaching and Learning
Joyce Epstein PhD
John Hopkins University( 2016),
“Joyce Epstein: SOE Faculty”.
Retrieved from
http://education.jhu.edu/facult
y/SOE_Faculty/joyce-epstein

3. CREDIBLE SOURCE #1
SOE 115: Psychology of Teaching and Learning
ChildTrend(2013).Figure 1 [digital image]. Retrieved from
https://www.childtrends.org/indicators/parental-involvement-in-schools/#_edn1
Parent involvement is not limited to a parent
being in the classroom or home, but also the
involvement in school district and
parent/teacher meetings. According to
ChildTrends (2013) “parental involvement in
school, as measured by attendance at a
general meeting, a meeting with a teacher,
or a school event, or by volunteering or
serving on a committee, rose significantly
between 1999 and 2007, but fell on most
measures in 2012.”

4. CREDIBLE SOURCE #2
SOE 115: Psychology of Teaching and Learning
The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has been
advocating for parent involvement since 1897. They have
established support for schools and families to work
together to ensure children’s academic and development
success. They have also created a week in February
called “Take your family to school”. They give examples
of activities can do together to build relationships in
school. Another resource they have provided is guilds for
parents. “Created for grades K-8 and high school English,
language arts/literacy and mathematics, the guides
provide clear, consistent expectations for what students
should be learning at each grade in order to be prepared
for college and career” ( National PTA, 2017).
National Association of the Education of Young Children (2017). [digital image].
Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/tyc/take-family-school-week

5. CREDIBLE SOURCE #3
SOE 115: Pychology of Teaching and Learning
FAST, Families and Schools Together, is a program that
encourages the involvement of parents in their child’s
education. “The 8-week FAST Program brings multiple
families together once a week in dynamic after-school
gatherings. In each 2.5-hour session, a trained FAST
Team guides families through a scientifically structured
agenda of evidence-based activities that enhance
parenting skills and reduce family stress while
encouraging family bonding. As a result, the family unit
of the FAST Child is systematically strengthened with
experiences based on family therapy principles that
help parents be firmly in charge of and lovingly
connected to their children (Families and Schools
Together, 2017).
Families and Schools Together, (2017). [digital image]. Retrieved from
http://www.familiesandschools.org/how-fast-works/outcomes/

6. ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION
SOE 115: Pychology of Teaching and Learning
While all sources are in agreement that parent’s involvement
in children’s education is important, only two, National PTA
and FAST provide resources for implementing parent
involvement. ChildTrend is a good resource to find statistic and
factual data about how parents are involved and the impact of
that involvement on children’s success. Also, the difference
between the National PTA is that you are the one that
educators or parents are the ones that need to implement the
events or find the research, where as FAST is a program setup
for parents and children to participate in with Team Coaches to
work with families while they are there. All are have used
outside research to support their information.

7. CONNECTIONS
In Epstein’s types of parent involvement, parents can participate in their child’s education in
six different ways. A parent –child relationship is important to building confidence and
resilience. Young children learn that their parents are trusted resources when they have
positive experiences. Then parents are involved with the school by attending board
meetings and parent- teacher conferences, children learn that what they are learning is also
important. Being attending school event and volunteering in the classroom bring a sense of
pride to children too. This is an opportunity for children to share their accomplishments
with their parents. Also, when parents seek resources that are for both parents and
children, the children do not feel isolated. I shows that the family is collaborating. Finally,
parents need to work with their children at home as well. To utilize this time to get to know
your children, their struggles, accomplishments, and perspective. The support that children
need can be in many forms and is easier and more beneficial than parents understand.
SOE 115: Pychology of Teaching and Learning

8. CONCLUSION
SOE 115: Pychology of Teaching and Learning
Epstein understood that families involvement in children’s
educations what important to a child’s developmental and
educational success. She then researched and learned that
there is not just one way for parents, schools, and
communities to work together, but six: parenting,
communication, volunteering, learning at home, decision
making, and collaborating with community. Parent
involvement has been proven that children’s grades and
test scores improve. Involvement also impacts a child’s
social-emotional behavior. Parents need to understand
that their involvement is crucial and that it is easier and
more important than they understand.

9. COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILIES
SOE 115: Pychology of Teaching and Learning
If I had a parent approach me and ask about way parents can be involved in children’s
education and it’s impact, based on the information I gathered, I might respond this way:
“ Joyce Epstein, a PhD and professor at John Hopkins University, has researched that there are
six type of involvement for parents: parenting, communication, volunteering, learning at
home, decision making, and collaboration with community.
The first and most important part is parenting. When you are an intentional and active parent,
your child will be better capable to handle the stresses of school. Being their support system is
important to them. Communicating with teacher and volunteering in the classroom is also
important so that you can work together to ensure support for child. Being involved in a larger
capacity is important too. Being involved in school meeting and community outreaches are
important to make sure that the school is implementing practice that are best for students.
There are many ways that parents can participate, it is just a matter of where and when.”

10. REFERENCES
SOE 115: Pychology of Teaching and Learning
Child Trends (Ed.). (2013). Parent involvement in schools. Retrieved May 17, 2017, from
Child Trends website: https://www.childtrends.org/indicators/parental-
involvement-in-schools/
Families and Schools Together (Ed.). (2017). Program structure. Retrieved May 17, 2017,
from FAST: Families and Schools Together website:
http://www.familiesandschools.org/how-fast-works/outcomes/
John Hopkins University( 2016), “Joyce Epstein: SOE Faculty”. Retrieved from
http://education.jhu.edu/faculty/SOE_Faculty/joyce-epstein
National Parent Teacher Association (Ed.). (n.d.). Take your family to school week.
Retrieved May 17, 2017, from National PTA website:
http://www.pta.org/programs/familytoschool.cfm?ItemNumber=3262&navItem
Number=5106