Headmaster's Communiqué

Parent Involvement

Does parent involvement help students increase their academic achievement and emotional well-being?

Parent involvement definitely pays off for the children of those parents who get involved in their children's education. In A New Wave of Evidence, a review of fifty-one (51) studies published between 1995 and 2002, Anne T. Henderson and Karen L. Mapp found that students with involved parents are more likely to:

• Earn high grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-level programs
• Be promoted, pass their classes and earn credits
• Attend school regularly
• Have better social skills, show improved behavior and adapt well to school
• Graduate and go on to postsecondary education

There is also plenty of proof that school-wide parent involvement efforts translate into academic gains. For example:

• A long-term study completed in 2001 by Westat and Policy Studies Associates of 71 high-poverty schools in seven states showed that students' test scores rose 40% from third grade to fifth grade in schools where teachers reported high levels of parent outreach.
• The children of parents who participated in an interactive homework program developed by Johns Hopkins University in 1997 had higher writing scores and better grades in language arts. Approximately 700 sixth and eighth graders and their families took part in the study.

In 1998 Ann Shaver and Richard Walls studied 335 low-income students in nine schools in a West Virginia district and found that students with highly involved parents were more likely to show gains in both reading and math scores than children with less involved parents. These increases held across all income and education levels.

Once parents understand the positive benefits of participation, they can work closely with teachers and school administrators to ensure student success academically, socially and emotionally. Parents overwhelmingly think only about their child's needs. However, they also need to think about how their participation benefits the whole school. Once they do understand the concept of parental participation in the school, they realize that it benefits all students.

Parents also need to maintain open communication with their child's school administrators and teachers. Open communication enhances parent involvement in school and results in ongoing school improvement and overall school pride and support.

Please remain involved in your child's education. Support St. Margaret's with continued participation through the many programs and opportunities we offer. Remember, a requirement for continued attendance of your child at St. Margaret's is for you to serve as a volunteer for at least thirty hours during the school year. Tina Maize, our Admissions Officer, has a list of volunteer opportunities. Contact her for information regarding how you can volunteer at St. Margaret's.

St. Margaret's Episcopal School consistently exceeds the expectations of parents and students. We invite you to visit our campus to discuss your child's education future or email us at school@stmargarets.org.