Laura Collins has been an active volunteer in Brevard Public Schools for the past 10 years. Photo: Laura Collins (left) thanking Gerald Jordan, IAP Worldwide Services, for his generous donation at the grand opening of Cocoa High's Parent Resource Center.

November has been proclaimed by the Governor as Family Engagement month. Do you feel that the general population is aware of this and that they have an understanding of the importance of parent engagement?

No, I don’t think so.  Research shows that when parents are involved, regardless of their income or background, race or ethnicity, students are more likely to:  

• earn higher grades
• score higher on standardized tests
• attend school (better attendance)
• adapt well to school – have a more positive attitude toward school
• perform more appropriate school behavior
• graduate
• go on to post secondary education  

I feel that the general population is under the same impression as I was in the past.   For me, family engagement (formerly known as parent involvement), meant volunteering at my children’s school, chaperoning events, supporting participation in extracurricular activities and checking grades. This seemed to be the concept for quite some time. Parent involvement more recently is defined as frequency of talking to teachers, parent interest in education (to include post secondary education) and monitoring of schoolwork. Effective family engagement is not just a one-time choice, but an ongoing program of attitudes, practices, interactions and beliefs.

What can parents of secondary level students do?

(First, let me explain that the term “parents” is used interchangeably to mean parents, grandparents, legal guardian, etc.)  They can:

• Provide a rich learning environment
• Encourage children – praise them – provide immediate, positive reinforcement (never use homework as punishment or blow up if a child argues over homework)
• Teach time management, organizational and study skills, like using agenda books.
• Schedule homework time daily
• Communicate regularly with your children’s teachers (being sure to give them your preferred method of contact.)
• Be an informed parent – research topics and educate yourself on ever-changing educational issues (many web sites are available – Brevard Public Schools, for instance, has its own Parent Involvement link.)
• Research and inform your children of program options, testing, graduation requirements, and post secondary education or career choices
• Learn how to talk to your children – Don’t take a “one-word answer” – engage in conversation: find out what they are learning and engage in learning activities together
• Be a positive role model 
• Monitor out of school activities Volunteer –  experience the atmosphere/attitudes that your children are surrounded by every day and show your children that you are interested in their lives and in making things better.  (Volunteer opportunities are available for parents who work as well. We have parents who make phone calls during the evenings, fill out forms, perform clerical activities, etc.)
• Teach your child to utilize their learning tools such as teachers, textbooks, other students, internet and media centers
• Join decision-making groups such as SAC, PTO/PTA, Parent Involvement Committee    

These interactions affect student motivation, their sense of competence, their belief that they have control over their success. After all, most people feel that parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. Know your child’s needs, preferred way of learning, likes and dislikes and communicate these to school staff.

What do you feel are some common misconceptions/misunderstandings? 

I think as parents we feel that by this time our children at the secondary level, they are pretty much on their own and on their way out. We must change our way of thinking. This level, in particular, is the foundation of our children’s future. This is the critical time where one event can change the whole outcome, can determine which path to take. We are parents for life – that doesn’t change because they reach a certain age. We are older, we are to have the wisdom and experience to guide them (that they don’t yet have.)

What are Parent Resource Centers?

We have just recently opened a Parent Resource Center at Cocoa High. It began as a place to provide internet access for parents to check grades, but is becoming something much larger. Our center has two computers where parents may access Edline and parent web sites, DVDs, cassettes and books for checkout, hosts brochures and literature pertinent to parenting and various topics, a list of Community Resources available to meet families’ needs and a Calendar of Events for parents that include workshops and meetings at the district level. Just recently, with the help of the district, we added a citizenship game. It is my hope that this will become a true Resource Center in which families will feel comfortable to come and seek all forms of help (shelter, food, clothing, etc.) that they may need. It is a private, warm, comfortable environment for parents to come, meet and support each other or relax alone while learning about ways to support their children. It is open to all parents.

You mentioned the district, what do they do to provide help?

Once a month the district hosts Parent Leadership Team meetings in which they provide parent leaders from each school with a program loaded with pertinent information. Every parent is welcome to attend these meetings. For those who work and are unable to attend, these meetings are filmed and added (along with all handouts) to the Parent Involvement site on the Brevard Public Schools’ web site. The district provides a Title I Family Involvement Resource Teacher and a K-12 Parent Involvement Resource Teacher, as well as all district staff to assist any parent. They conduct workshops as needed.  

Dr. Binggeli has recently formed a strategic planning group (one of seven project teams) for family and community engagement based on the outcomes of research and federal government encouragement to better advance Brevard Public Schools.

Why did you get further involved?

Last year my 22-year-old son died in a motorcycle accident. With a loss of that magnitude, I questioned every aspect of my life.  I thought I was a great parent and in many ways I was, but maybe not in the most important one. I was the traditional involved parent, but I did not recognize my son’s passion.  He had wanted to go to a technical college, but I wouldn’t hear of it.  Three years later after sinking from one job to another and out of desperation, he joined the Air Force.  The point is, I now ask myself “what if I had listened to his desires, his passion, would he still be alive and happy?”  He certainly wouldn’t have been on that Air Force Base. The saving grace for me is that he was loving his life. He was very competitive and the Air Force was allowing him to excel. He had three things he wanted to accomplish and he had done all three.

It is now my desire to help parents understand what I didn’t at the time - Be there and be truly engaged.  If I can do one thing (maybe a workshop or provide information) for a student or parent that keeps them from suffering this type of loss, my son’s death will not have been in vain.  I challenge each and every one of you to listen to your child.  Don’t let your own wishes for your child’s success overshadow who they truly are inside. In order to do the best for them, you must know who they are – inside and out.  Be engaged.  

Someone once said, “Coming together is a beginning, working together for a common goal is progress, good collaborative communication is success.” Don’t underestimate what YOU as a parent can contribute, no matter how little education you yourself have. Getting involved with your child and your child’s education will make a difference.