Parental involvement in children’s learning : a case study approach in year 1 classrooms

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to explore whether parents are being involved in schools in a local context, especially in Year One classrooms. It also aims to discover whether parental involvement is being appreciated by schools, and in which ways are schools open to such involvement. Through various literature, interviews and questionnaires, the research question will be answered. Four interviews were conducted with two Heads of School and two Year One primary teachers, from a State and Church school, in order to see what views these schools have about parental involvement and to identify how, and to what extent are parents involved in these settings. Also, questionnaires were distributed among parents of Year One children attending the same schools, in order to get to know about their perspectives on this issue, and in what ways they are involved in schools. The main findings concluded that schools and parents are willing to implement and participate in the issue of parental involvement. However, the results also indicate that there seems to be a somewhat narrow definition of parental involvement, since parents are mostly involved in school activities, but less in their children’s learning. Therefore, there are some factors which are constraining successful parental involvement in schools and hence, concerns remain as to what extent are schools open for parental participation, and how parents are and can be fully integrated and involved in their children’s education. Finally, recommendations are put forward by the individuals undertaking the research.