A new study published in the journal Educational Review highlights a critical gap in teacher training: equipping educators with the skills to effectively engage parents in their children’s education. The research, conducted by academics from the University of Warwick and UCL, surveyed 1,782 primary and secondary school teachers in England and revealed that most educators feel underprepared to foster parental involvement, an area proven to significantly improve student outcomes.
Key Findings
- Lack of Training:
- Fewer than 3 in 10 teachers (29%) reported that their Initial Teacher Education (ITE) covered the basics of parental engagement or why it is important.
- Only 13% received training on which parental engagement activities are most effective.
- Less than 7% were trained on engaging parents facing challenges such as poverty, language barriers, or previous negative experiences with schools.
- Importance of Parental Engagement:
- Research shows that parental involvement, such as reading with children or supporting their learning at home, has a stronger impact on student outcomes than socioeconomic status.
- Effective parental engagement improves behavior, attendance, and motivation, leading to better academic performance.
- Confidence Gaps:
- Teachers reported low confidence in engaging parents from disadvantaged backgrounds or those who face additional barriers, such as language differences or past negative experiences with education.
- Primary school teachers generally felt more confident than secondary school teachers, likely due to more direct interaction with parents.
- Predictors of Confidence:
- Teachers with more experience, leadership roles, or personal parenting experience were more confident in engaging with families.
Recommendations
The researchers call for systemic changes to better prepare teachers to work with parents:
Why This Matters
Parental engagement has been shown to significantly enhance students’ academic success, yet the current gaps in teacher training leave many educators ill-equipped to support families. With fewer than 30% of teachers receiving adequate preparation, there is a pressing need for reforms to ensure teachers can build strong partnerships with parents and unlock the full potential of their students.
For more details, read the full study here: Taylor & Francis Newsroom – Train Teachers on How to Get Parents Involved in Children’s Learning, Say Researchers.
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