| Summary: | 碩士 === 開南管理學院 === 公共事務管理學系碩士班 === 94 === Study on Parental Involvement of Elementary School Parents
--Examples from Taoyuan County Chianteh and Tzuwen Elementary School
Chiu Ting-wen
Kainan University Graduate Institute of Public Affairs and Management
Abstract
This study mainly probes into the cases of Taoyuan County Chianteh and Tzuwen Elementary School to analyze how elementary school parents in Taoyuan County involve in school in order to understand the current situation, the effectiveness and predicaments facing parental involvement and try to seek out a way for improvement; and finally based on the research result to provide recommendations for educational administration authorities, relevant educators and the two participating schools in this study so as to fulfill the spirit of parental involvement.
This study applies methods of paper survey, questionnaire survey, visitation and observation to proceed. First, the theoretical foundation of the study theme is established through paper survey, and the study framework and process are mapped out accordingly. Then a questionnaire of “Taoyuan County Parental Involvement of Elementary School Parents” is produced to proceed the survey. Total 200 parents of council members and 176 school staffs are samples taken from Chianteh and Tzuwen Elementary School through proportional stratified sampling to answer the questionnaire. 306 questionnaires are effective with a return rate of 85.3%; the collected information is then analyzed by statistic methods of frequency distribution and percentile, chi-square test, and frequency distribution and percentile of repeated reaction to summarize the investigation result. In addition, semi-structural visitation is conducted with parents of council members and school staffs through purposely sampling to certify the contents of the questionnaire. The main findings of this study are concluded in the following:
1) At present, most of the elementary school parents participate or assist in school affairs through Parents and Teachers Association, Volunteering and Teacher-Parents Conference. Even though these three groups are made of parents, the members seldom communicate among themselves. They work under the big environment of school within individual system as differentiated by the nature of work.
2) The establishment of communication model between parents and school is closely linked with various kinds of resources provided by the school.
3) Two schools consider that “Parents can provide the school with all kinds of needs and proper assistances anytime” and “Parents aggressively participate in volunteering to assist the school in various affairs and maintaining students safety” are particular achievements of parental involvement, showing that both agree to the value of parental involvement.
4) In the predicaments facing the operation of parental involvement, the main issue is parents’ willingness to participate is not high enough. This is also the basic element concerning whether a group can operate sustainably and maintain its function.
5) Parents’ role in school’s curriculum and teaching plan as well as Teachers’ Evaluation Committee is mostly unsubstantial.
Based on the aforementioned conclusion, this study provides several recommendations for schools, teachers, parents and future researchers.
1) For schools
(1) To reinforce parenting education and encourage parents to participate in order to promote parents’ concept and capability in building up the partnership with the school.
(2) School leader and administrator should take on the leadership of democracy for active communication, set up an open and inviting campus environment and a sharing model of decision-making.
(3) To encourage teachers to engage in studies regarding parental involvement and provide them with appropriate and effective resources for evaluation purpose so that theory and practicality can be cross-examined and linked together. Such will enhance teachers’ confidence and capability when facing parents.
(4) To actively reach out to integrate parents’ resources from the groups of Parents and Teachers Association, Volunteering and Teacher-Parents Conference.
(5) To promote positive parental involvement aggressively through various activities and occasions so that families of different structures, cultures and backgrounds can really participate in the operation of school affairs.
2) For teachers
(1) To participate in activities of professional growth aggressively to enhance individual capability in the career.
(2) To actively maintain close contact with parents to understand the actual needs of parents and students.
(3) To actively assist parents in the class to set up Core Action Team and communication network.
3) For parents
(1) Every parent should understand relevant laws and regulations about parental involvement in school.
(2) To contact parents of same interest voluntarily and express to school the willingness of getting involved in school affairs and develop a good relationship of mutual trust and respect with school and teachers.
(3) The Parents and Teachers Association should be developed as a diversified organ to respect and accept the right of participation of families from various kinds of structures, cultures and economic and social backgrounds.
Key words: parental involvement, school affairs, Parents and Teachers Association, volunteers
|
|---|
