Parallel Session Proceedings »
4.5.9 Professional Learning and Families: Working with Teachers to Create Learning Opportunities for Parents
Increasing parental involvement in schools and with their child’s learning has been proven to benefit not only the student’s learning but also improve the entire school climate (Machen, Wilson & Notar, 2005). While the research indicates the positive impact of parental involvement on school communities, there continues to be a divide between schools and parents. Parental attendance is increasing at general education meetings, such as a conference or open house (Child Trends, 2016). But, the educational gap between the parents who attend general meetings and who volunteer to serve on committees is significant. Parents who are participating beyond the general meetings tend to be more educated (Child Trends, 2016). This gap in parental educational backgrounds highlights only one of the myriad of reasons that parental involvement is difficult to maintain. Research indicates that parents who are culturally, linguistically or economically diverse are less likely to participate in school events (Child Trends, 2016). Current research also reports positive academic and social gains for gifted students who are supported through parental involvement (Akkanat, & Gökdere, 2018; Brigandi, Weiner, Siegle, Gubbins, & Little, 2018). This presentation will focus on strategies to help teachers reach out to parents of gifted students in three ways. First, how to get a parent’s interest peak so that they want to become involved in the school. Second, how to engage the parent in the classroom activity, enrichment or extension activities. Finally, how to maintain the parent involvement beyond the one stop activity. Further attention will be given to the idea of professional learning for the parents with regards to gifted behaviors, such as perfectionism, overexcitabilities and underachievement. The impetus is on teaching administrators to provide this professional learning experience to teachers, though teachers will also benefit from the session first hand.