HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

93

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

requesting the Department of Education to develop ways to increase parental involvement in education on a school-by-school basis.

 

 

WHEREAS, there is very little doubt that parent involvement in the education of their children positively influences child educational achievement. Parental involvement in their child's education means providing an environment that helps develop a child's intellectual and creative talents, supporting homework, and communicating with the child about classroom activities. At school, parental involvement ranges from regular communication with the school to volunteering and attending conferences and other functions; and

WHEREAS, over the last ten years, studies have found that parental involvement in education is associated with higher grades and test scores, better attendance, more homework completion, more positive attitudes and behaviors, and higher graduation and college attendance rates; and

WHEREAS, additional studies have found that:

(1) Involving the entire family improves student outcomes;

(2) When parents are involved at schools, their children go to better schools;

(3) The closer the family-school relationship is to a well-planned partnership, the higher the student achievement; and

(4) Parental expectations of their children's educational achievement have the strongest positive relationship with the children's actual level of achievement;

and

WHEREAS, while studies indicate that parental involvement is important to a child's future, parent involvement in education and schools' engagement of parents remains low. Barriers to parent involvement include:

(1) Schools' failure to welcome and support parents;

(2) Parents' sense of inadequacy, based on their own lack of education or negative experiences in school;

(3) Parents not knowing how they can contribute;

(4) Work barriers, especially inflexible leave policies;

(5) Lack of time;

(6) Language and cultural barriers;

(7) Difficulty finding childcare; and

(8) Transportation needs;

and

WHEREAS, educational organizations, such as the U.S. Department of Education and the National Parent-Teacher Association, give research-based recommendations for what parents can do at home to promote their children's academic growth. These recommendations encourage parents to:

(1) Set high expectations and serve as a role model for their children;

(2) Establish and practice structured routines in the home, including providing a quiet place and set time for homework;

(3) Encourage reading;

(4) Limit after-school jobs;

(5) Discuss school work and school events;

(6) Stay involved with youth at the secondary level;

(7) Require challenging course work for middle and secondary school students; and

(8) Monitor out-of-school activities;

and

WHEREAS, effective parent involvement can depend on a variety of factors, such as the educational experience of caregivers, parental values, and how schools adapt curriculum and policies to meet the needs of diverse communities. Consequently, schools should be encouraged to:

(1) Help parents gain awareness of their children's school and education;

(2) Help parents build relationships to support their children's education;

(3) Help parents get involved and advocate for their children in school;

(4) Promote parental support of their children's interests; and

(5) Promote community and employer support of schools;

now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that the Department of Education is requested to develop ways to increase parental involvement in education on a school-by-school basis; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to allow each school, through its school/community-based management council, local school board, or parent-teacher-student organization; or a standing committee appointed by the principal if there is no such council, board, or organization at the school, to determine how parents can play a greater role in filling the needs of that school; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a status report to the Legislature not less than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2004, and a final report, including findings and recommendations, to the Legislature not less than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2005; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education; the Superintendent of Education; and the President of the Hawaii State Parent, Teacher, Student Association.

 

 
 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Education; Parental Involvement