Education Advisory

Parents who feel so helpless and alienated from their schools need to know that they are right to feel upset about being unjustly excluded from their rights and duties regarding their children. Long standing research overwhelmingly points to the positive benefits of parent involvement in schools, and only recently have efforts been directed to apply the research. Parent Advisory Councils are legislated in British Columbia public schools and serious funding is provided to assist parents to have a voice — individually on behalf of their own children and as members of parent groups assisting in decisions regarding their schools. See BC Confederaton of Parent Advisory Councils. It’s been a long haul. In 1976 I attended the First National Conference on Parent Involvement in San Anselmo, California. At the close of the conference, we enunciated a Statement of Principles:

Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children. (Article 26, Sec. 3, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations, 1948)

Universal education of youth is essential to the well-being of the State. The obligation to furnish this education rests primarily upon the parents. (First school laws in America, Massachusetts, 1642)

Basic Principles Guiding Parent Involvement We believe the inalienable right of parent involvement in the education of their children and the community’s children needs to be strengthened and reinforced. Operational Principles Guiding Parent Involvement 1. Information is a basic requirement if parents are to exercise their responsibilities in an informed and rational manner. Information on programs, options, rights of parents and students, etc., shall be readily provided to parents and be available at the schools and pre-schools their children attend. 2. Mutual Support and Encouragement is essential if parents are to gain the strength and skills required to carry out their obligations. Parent and Community groups are urged to provide those vehicles and skills which will promote parent competencies in the home, schools and community. 3. A Sense of Community which values a diversity of cultures, opinions and individual differences is essential to ensure a place and a role for every member of the community. Schools in particular are urged to foster the sense of community by developing programs, skills and opportunities that enable students, parents and other community members to work together in areas of mutual concern and interest. 4. Professional Responsibility must include a devotion to the support and strengthening of parent and family skills. Professionals need to be made aware of their role in assisting parents to serve as their children’s primary educators and advocates. 5. Legislation and Policies are required which will support parent involvement. It must be ensured that parents are involved in the decisions that affect them and their children.