Improving learner outcomes

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Opening the School Gate | Meeting management

Sustaining parent involvement

In order to sustain parent and carer involvement, identify the strengths and skills of participating parents/carers and create opportunities for them to use these skills on an ongoing basis in your school.

  • Some parents will become more involved if they know it is important to their children and they can perform a meaningful role.
  • Others may be interested in being a contact person for an ethno-specific parents’ group (e.g. a Cambodian parents group) and liaising with the school.
  • Some schools have migrant or refugee parents on the school council who represent the interests of a cultural group or community.
  • Many parents/carers just want to attend parent meetings and perhaps encourage other parents to come along. It is important to assist and support parents/carers in these roles.
  • Some parents may be prepared to take on more responsibility for meetings over time.
  • This process of fostering leadership development is likely to happen slowly and may require some support and encouragement.
  • It is not always possible to set up self-management of parents’ associations.
  • Provide support and resources for parents who are emerging as future leaders of an ongoing group or already play a significant leadership role.
  • Identify key parent leaders to encourage others to attend events.
  • Encourage culturally specific parent groups if parents are interested in managing them.
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