Studies show that, on average, children from single-parent households are less likely to demonstrate high achievement and complete school on time, compared to their peers from two-parent families. The differences in school performance can be partially explained by the fact that single mothers or fathers are less likely to be as involved as other parents in their children’s education. Because virtually every school has children from single-parent households, it is important for all schools to develop partnership programs with activities that engage these parents in their children’s education.
One of the most significant challenges to family involvement confronting single-parents is a lack of time. Often, single-parents are employed during the school day, come home to household chores, and must get their children and themselves ready for the next day without help from a partner or adult family member. Schools striving to get more single-parents involved must implement activities that are sensitive to parents’ time constraints.
For example, for single parents and others employed during the school day, school meetings, workshops, and opportunities to volunteer cannot occur only at school during the daytime. Opportunities also must be developed for parents to contribute to their child’s school or classroom from home, at work, or in the community. Ballentine Elementary School in Irmo, SC, did this when they implemented BES Goes to Work. Parents took a miniature version of the school mascot (BES, the Bear) to work with them so that BES could report back to students. At work, using a disposable camera provided, parents took a picture with BES and wrote a short summary of what BES saw on the job. This activity allowed parents who might not be able to visit the school during the day to participate as volunteers by providing students descriptions of interesting careers in the community.
Another strong practice for involving single-parent families was implemented by Ethel Schoeffner Elementary School in Destrehan, LA, called Neighborhood Outreach. The partnership team organized a picnic in a park located in one of the neighborhoods where many low-income students live. They served pizza and cold drinks to families. Faculty, school staff, neighborhood leaders, and church leaders attended the event. Parents were able to visit with children’s teachers and hear about school programs in a convenient locale.
Single parents sometimes face financial stresses. In Green Bay, WI, Chappell Elementary School addressed this challenge by having free, monthly family events. The events included movie nights, Mardi Gras dances, family photo nights, and roller skating. Each event included dinner and a free gift (e.g., a book to take home) and provided parents an opportunity to enjoy a fun evening with their children and interact with school staff in a relaxed environment. The school’s action team reported that the number of parents involved has increased, negative behaviors and suspensions declined, and test scores and attendance rates have risen.
These and many other activities featured in NNPS’s annual collections of Promising Partnership Practices1 are designed to help single-parents – and all parents – stay involved in their children’s education by addressing the challenges of involving parents who have limited time and restricted budgets. The creation of flexible ways to volunteer for the school, meet teachers, and take advantage of community activities give single-parent families more opportunities to join the school community and support their children’s education and the school.
1 The activities featured in the article are in the NNPS collections of Promising Partnership Practices in 2005 and 2006 available on the website, www.partnershipschools.org in the section Success Stories In the Spotlight.