Checking in....Action Research

So...Here's what I've been able to accomplish thus far regarding my action based research plan:
-Discussed topic with site supervisor/Principal
-Gathered Baseline Data and establish procedures.
- Met with school attendance clerk to review last year’s attendance data to create a baseline.  
-Established procedures for the coming school year to track student attendance for reporting.
-Presented after-school programs (ASP) to campus.  Met with one interested teacher to develop guidelines and requirements for programs. 

 -Created procedures for taking attendance for ASPs reporting.

NOw....I am a little behind schedule due to unforseen campus based issues. SOooo by Oct. 5, my goal is to:

-Develop an ASP weekly   calendar including extended participation opportunities such as additional evening or weekend performances, presentations, etc.…

-Develop a code of conduct and expectation for participation/attendance for the ASP club.

The biggest problem, due to the resistance of the campus towards the new administration, we are left with only three after-school clubs. This shouldn't impact the overall plan but it's definitely not what I was hoping for.  Fingers crossed! 

I read the most incredible article (twice actually), Parent Involvement: Influencing Factors and Implications by Delores C. Pena from Texas Tech University.  Basically she researched ways to increase and improve parents involvement.  Often times in schools, as in life, we all fall victim of being superficial, surface level, and seeing only what we are able to see from external factors.  I learned my first year of teaching how incredibly important it is to SEE beyond the explicit and more towards implicit connections with families.  If you truly WANT successful students and you truly DESIRE parental involvement, this article is a FANTASTIC read!

Since When?

When did it actually happen that parents were NOT a welcomed, encouraged part of the educational process.  As a teacher, I view parents as an extension of my hand and the heart of my reach towards my student!  It's frustrating for parents to be ill-informed and uneducated about the ins and outs of the classroom.  According to recent research one of the primary factors in the success of a child's education is parent interest and support (Berger, 1995).  Schools that welcome and support parent involvement also tend to outperform schools without parental involvement.  Teachers are the HEART at this communication.  I make a true effort to contact each and every parent by the end of the first week of school...This year I accomplished this task by contacting 84 of 90 parents by Friday at 5pm.  I'll have to work to track down those 6 parents but mark my words...I shall!  These contacts were all personalized, positive and provided parents with my contact information and expectations.  I have found throughout the years, this is the number one way to ensure support.  I always end the conversation with "please tell your child that we spoke about how amazing s/he is doing in my class".  This way the child also knows I have follow through and when I tell them, "I will call your parents and we will be successful", they know I mean what I say!  This first initial contact also ensures that when follow up conversations occur regarding the child in any positive or negative light, I have already established a relationship.  Parents are KEY to connecting with the child!  ALWAYS EMBRACE THEM, WELCOME THEM, and SUPPORT THEM!