How Scotland is showing that parental involvement matters? Lorraine Sanda National Parental Involvement Coordinator Scottish Government [email protected].

How Scotland is showing that parental involvement matters?

Lorraine SandaNational Parental Involvement Coordinator

Scottish Government

[email protected]

Advancing Education Inclusion and Quality in South East Europe23-24 April 2010, Becici, Montenegro

Scotland

Context of ScotlandContext of Scotland 32 Local Authorities32 Local Authorities

Responsible for curriculum, management and quality Responsible for curriculum, management and quality assurance of schoolsassurance of schools

Local Authorities employ teachersLocal Authorities employ teachers Approx 2700 Schools, 680,000 pupils, 55,000 teachersApprox 2700 Schools, 680,000 pupils, 55,000 teachers National Curriculum from 3-18 National Curriculum from 3-18 National System of accountability and monitoring standards National System of accountability and monitoring standards

through government inspection of schools through government inspection of schools Major changes in all schools and nursery from August 2010 Major changes in all schools and nursery from August 2010

(Curriculum for Excellence – preparing children for the 21(Curriculum for Excellence – preparing children for the 21stst Century)Century)

Strong Focus on importance of Early Years Strong Focus on importance of Early Years Drive to improve Literacy and Numeracy, drive up standards Drive to improve Literacy and Numeracy, drive up standards

and narrow the gap (OECD report – and narrow the gap (OECD report – ““Children from poorer Children from poorer communities and low socio-economic status homes are more likely communities and low socio-economic status homes are more likely than others to underachieve, while the gap associated with poverty than others to underachieve, while the gap associated with poverty and deprivation in local government areas appears to be very wide.”) and deprivation in local government areas appears to be very wide.”)

Aims for all areas of Scottish Government

Parental Involvement policy and legislation fits with Scotland’s overall strategic Objectives – To become:

• Smarter

• Wealthier and Fairer

• Greener

• Safer and Stronger

• Healthier

OutcomesOutcomes

Parental Involvement is part of Scotland’s Parental Involvement is part of Scotland’s aspirations for all Scottish childrenaspirations for all Scottish children

to become: to become: Successful LearnersSuccessful LearnersResponsible CitizensResponsible CitizensEffective ContributorsEffective ContributorsConfident IndividualsConfident Individuals

Our starting point….cultural changeOur starting point….cultural change

““There will always be parents you’ll never reach”There will always be parents you’ll never reach” ““Teachers are not interested in what parents have to say”Teachers are not interested in what parents have to say” ““Parents are happy with what we do” Parents are happy with what we do” ““Not all parents can help”Not all parents can help” ““They make me feel stupid so I’d rather not go”They make me feel stupid so I’d rather not go” ““Some parents don’t care”Some parents don’t care” ““Parents have busy lives and don’t really have time”Parents have busy lives and don’t really have time” ““Partnership on teachers’ terms”Partnership on teachers’ terms” ““Teachers hold all the power”Teachers hold all the power” ““It’s all the parents fault”It’s all the parents fault” ““It’s all the schools fault”It’s all the schools fault”

ResearchResearch

Where parents are Where parents are involved, children do involved, children do

betterbetter and achieve moreand achieve more

Listening to parentsListening to parents

‘ ‘I want my school to be great’I want my school to be great’““I want to be involved on my terms”I want to be involved on my terms”

Relaxed Relaxed Flexible Flexible InclusiveInclusive FunFun

Recognition of the difference Recognition of the difference parents make (fathers)parents make (fathers)

Children Children spend only spend only 15% of their 15% of their time in time in schoolschool

What difference do parents What difference do parents make?make?

85% of the 85% of the language we use language we use as adults is in as adults is in place by the time place by the time we are five years we are five years old and 50% is in old and 50% is in place by the time place by the time we are three we are three years old.years old.

What difference do parents What difference do parents make?make?

Most differences in Most differences in achievement by 14 achievement by 14 year olds in English, year olds in English, Maths and Science Maths and Science are due to home are due to home influences.influences.

What difference do parents What difference do parents make?make?

When parents are actively When parents are actively involved in reading with involved in reading with their children at home their children at home their children’s reading their children’s reading scores improve, on scores improve, on average, by between 12-18 average, by between 12-18 months.months.

What difference do parents What difference do parents make?make?

Doing Doing homework homework regularly regularly through their through their years at years at school has school has roughly the roughly the same benefit same benefit as an extra as an extra year’s year’s schooling.schooling.

New legislationNew legislation Challenging attitudesChallenging attitudes Changing cultureChanging culture

Champion

Our parental involvement journey…

Saboteur Cynic Sceptic Silentdoubter

Notinvolved

Observer Participant Changeagent

EnergyLevel

New Legislation, New OpportunitiesNew Legislation, New OpportunitiesScottish Schools (Parental Scottish Schools (Parental

Involvement) Act 2006Involvement) Act 2006

Parents as Partners inChildren’s Learning

Legislation recognises three Legislation recognises three inter-related elements of parental inter-related elements of parental

involvement involvement Learning at homeLearning at home

parents as first and ongoing educators of their own parents as first and ongoing educators of their own childrenchildren

Home/School PartnershipHome/School Partnership schools, parents and the community working schools, parents and the community working

together to educate children together to educate children Parent representationParent representation

parents have an opportunity to have their views parents have an opportunity to have their views represented through the Parent Councilrepresented through the Parent Council

New legislation, new opportunitiesNew legislation, new opportunities

Old School Board legislation seen as Old School Board legislation seen as prescriptive and not meeting the needs of all prescriptive and not meeting the needs of all schools or all parents. schools or all parents.

More recognition of the important role that More recognition of the important role that parents play in outcomes for childrenparents play in outcomes for children

More support for more parents to get involved in More support for more parents to get involved in their child’s learning in ways that suit themtheir child’s learning in ways that suit them

Strengthening of rights of parents to Strengthening of rights of parents to information, support and representationinformation, support and representation

New legal duties on Authorities, Schools and New legal duties on Authorities, Schools and Ministers to promote parental involvementMinisters to promote parental involvement

Learning at HomeLearning at Home

Valuing learning at homeValuing learning at home Support where neededSupport where needed Helping parents understand learning and Helping parents understand learning and

how they can helphow they can help More interesting and different types of More interesting and different types of

Homework Homework Better quality informationBetter quality information Family Learning approachesFamily Learning approaches

Home/School Partnerships - making Home/School Partnerships - making the most of parents’ skills and intereststhe most of parents’ skills and interests

Huge benefits for schoolsHuge benefits for schools Parents bring a great range of different skills Parents bring a great range of different skills

which complement teachers’ experiencewhich complement teachers’ experience If parents contribute their time - together If parents contribute their time - together

parents and teachers are able to do moreparents and teachers are able to do more Pupils’ behaviour and attainment improvesPupils’ behaviour and attainment improves Parents have useful insights about how Parents have useful insights about how

schools can best support children –especially schools can best support children –especially important for those with additional support important for those with additional support needs (ASL Act)needs (ASL Act)

More flexible on what home school More flexible on what home school partnerships should look likepartnerships should look like

Everyday at home Everyday at home

Once a year - e.g. school concert or playOnce a year - e.g. school concert or play

Once a month – e.g. regular school activitiesOnce a month – e.g. regular school activities

Or weekly Or weekly

During the school day-volunteeringDuring the school day-volunteering

After schoolAfter school

At weekendsAt weekends

Role of Parent CouncilsRole of Parent Councils Thinking about what type of information and support Thinking about what type of information and support

parents needparents need Organise parent events around learningOrganise parent events around learning Identify skills and expertise within parent community Identify skills and expertise within parent community

and make connections with voluntary sector, and make connections with voluntary sector, community, health and businesscommunity, health and business

Feedback to Headteacher on school improvementFeedback to Headteacher on school improvement Challenge Local Authority and National GovernmentChallenge Local Authority and National Government Talk to young people themselves……Talk to young people themselves…… Much more…...Much more…...

Understanding

Planning together

Learning togetherExplaining

Listening

Involvement

Parents’ skills

Progress so farProgress so far Approx 90% schools have Parent CouncilsApprox 90% schools have Parent Councils Far more parents, from different backgrounds Far more parents, from different backgrounds

involvedinvolved Parent Councils getting involved to support Parent Councils getting involved to support

children’s learningchildren’s learning Local Area Parent Forums – issues in local Local Area Parent Forums – issues in local

areasareas National Parent Forum Scotland established National Parent Forum Scotland established

November 2009November 2009 Schools being recognised for their strong Schools being recognised for their strong

home/school partnerships by Inspectorshome/school partnerships by Inspectors

And more progress…And more progress…

Growing commitment to parental Growing commitment to parental involvement at all levelsinvolvement at all levels

Growth in whole school community Growth in whole school community approaches to involving parents approaches to involving parents successfullysuccessfully

Growth in social capitalGrowth in social capital Parents feeling empowered….Parents feeling empowered….

Why is it successful?Why is it successful? Leadership at all levelsLeadership at all levels

Ministerial involvementMinisterial involvement Taking more account of parents viewsTaking more account of parents views

Building capacity of Parent Councils to be Building capacity of Parent Councils to be representative and effective voice of parents in representative and effective voice of parents in schoolsschools

Emphasis on what makes the biggest difference Emphasis on what makes the biggest difference to children – link with learningto children – link with learning

Joint planning between Authorities, schools, Joint planning between Authorities, schools, community staff, and others to involve parents community staff, and others to involve parents effectively and meaningfullyeffectively and meaningfully

Success?Success?

Role of National Parental Involvement Role of National Parental Involvement CoordinatorCoordinator

• Support for teachers, schools and Local AuthoritiesSupport for teachers, schools and Local Authorities• Promoting parental involvement at all levels of Promoting parental involvement at all levels of

governmentgovernment• Making links with other areas of policy and Making links with other areas of policy and

legislationlegislation• Support for National Parent Forum ScotlandSupport for National Parent Forum Scotland

““Here for all parents and for all children”Here for all parents and for all children”

• Identifying and spreading good practiceIdentifying and spreading good practice• Promoting the role of Parent CouncilsPromoting the role of Parent Councils

Markers of success Markers of success Recognition of the value and importance (and Recognition of the value and importance (and

challenge) of involving challenge) of involving allall parents parents Equality and Diversity issues recognised and Equality and Diversity issues recognised and

addressedaddressed Demonstration of a change in language and Demonstration of a change in language and

communication – more outward lookingcommunication – more outward looking Parents encouraged into school in creative and Parents encouraged into school in creative and

fun waysfun ways Parents involved at all levels on their terms – Parents involved at all levels on their terms –

child, school, local area and nationallychild, school, local area and nationally More learning events for parents, with greater More learning events for parents, with greater

numbers attendingnumbers attending

What did we use?What did we use?

Scottish Government small team (3 staff)Scottish Government small team (3 staff) National Parental Involvement CoordinatorNational Parental Involvement Coordinator One year Field Team (teacher, Community Worker One year Field Team (teacher, Community Worker

and Support Teacher) working with schools directlyand Support Teacher) working with schools directly Training (ongoing)Training (ongoing)

Headteachers and teachersHeadteachers and teachers Local Area ManagersLocal Area Managers Parent CouncilsParent Councils Community StaffCommunity Staff

ResourcesResources Toolkit and GuidanceToolkit and Guidance Leaflets and website for parents and Parent CouncilsLeaflets and website for parents and Parent Councils

Lessons from small projects on what makes Lessons from small projects on what makes

successful parental involvement in schools?successful parental involvement in schools? School staff who are able to listenSchool staff who are able to listen Local Government Managers taking a lead in supporting and Local Government Managers taking a lead in supporting and

developing practicedeveloping practice Involving Parent GroupsInvolving Parent Groups PerseverancePerseverance Having clear goalsHaving clear goals Giving parents the information they want, not that you think they Giving parents the information they want, not that you think they

needneed Culture of constantly evaluating and improvingCulture of constantly evaluating and improving Using children to reach parents Using children to reach parents Letting parents see and understand what goes on in the classroom Letting parents see and understand what goes on in the classroom

Report from Scottish Government Parental Involvement Field Team, Report from Scottish Government Parental Involvement Field Team, May 2009May 2009

Challenges remain..Challenges remain.. RelationshipsRelationships Stereotypical attitudes to parents and to teachersStereotypical attitudes to parents and to teachers CommunicationCommunication Understanding of partnership Understanding of partnership

giving up power and controlgiving up power and control Respecting and valuing parents’ views Respecting and valuing parents’ views

Working across different professional boundaries – teachers, Working across different professional boundaries – teachers, community staff, health staff, early years staffcommunity staff, health staff, early years staff

Government – national and local, and schools seen to be Government – national and local, and schools seen to be listening and acting on what parents saylistening and acting on what parents say

Helping parents know that they can make a differenceHelping parents know that they can make a difference Joining up agendas – Early Years, new Curriculum, Additional Joining up agendas – Early Years, new Curriculum, Additional

Support for Learning, support for vulnerable childrenSupport for Learning, support for vulnerable children Measuring impactMeasuring impact Measuring learning at homeMeasuring learning at home

A hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of A hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car you drove, what kind of house you lived in, how car you drove, what kind of house you lived in, how much you had in your bank account, or what your much you had in your bank account, or what your clothes looked like. clothes looked like. But the world may be a little better because you were But the world may be a little better because you were important in the life of a child.important in the life of a child.

Margaret Fishback PowersMargaret Fishback Powers

Thank you and best wishes for your own future parental involvement journey!

Lorraine [email protected]

References References Curriculum for Excellence - Scotland’s New Curriculum for Excellence - Scotland’s New

Curriculum Curriculum www.curriculumforexcellencescotland.gov.ukwww.curriculumforexcellencescotland.gov.uk

Website for parents – Website for parents – www.parentzonescotland.gov.ukwww.parentzonescotland.gov.uk Scottish Government Early Years Framework 2009 Scottish Government Early Years Framework 2009 OECD Report 2007- OECD Report 2007- Quality and Equity of Schooling in Quality and Equity of Schooling in

Scotland Scotland Engaging Parents in Raising Achievement – Do Engaging Parents in Raising Achievement – Do

parents know they matter?, Harris and Goodall – parents know they matter?, Harris and Goodall – University of Warwick, July 2007University of Warwick, July 2007

Desforges, D., and Abouchaar, A. (2003) The impact of Desforges, D., and Abouchaar, A. (2003) The impact of parental involvement on pupil achievement parental involvement on pupil achievement

FFamily Involvement Makes a Difference, Harvard amily Involvement Makes a Difference, Harvard Family Research Project, Spring 2007Family Research Project, Spring 2007