Parent Teacher Organization Basics

Higley High School Facts

Higley High School is located in Elmhurst, Illinois. Elmhurst is a medium sized city with a strong farming community. The school has a population of 1500 students in the 9th through 12th grades. At Higley High School, 22% of the students are eligible for free and/or reduced lunch 1% of the students are second language learners. (63%) White, (22%) Hispanic, (6%) Black, (5%) Asian, (4%) American Indian.

Adolescence
The transition from grade school to college can be a time filled with anxiety for most young people . (Schleifer, M. J. 2000) Reasons to be involved in your childs life are as follows: Peer Pressure Independence Anxiety Health Safety Puberty Social interactions Self identity Responsibilities

identity achievement is highest among adolescents who report high levels of support and monitoring by parents. Adolescence is a period of exploration, which cannot take place without the establishment of a secure base to which adolescents can return. (Sartor, C. E., & Youniss, J. 2002)

Child Development Professional Role

Make sure students are supported according to their needs. Prepare each student to master their abilities to perform well in the classroom as well as in society. Bridge the gap of understanding between the general education teacher and the student while providing academic support when necessary.

Parental/Teacher Involvement
It has been proven by educational and psychological professionals that having parents involved in childrens education and wellbeing children do better. They make better choices, they perform better in school, they have less emotional and social deficiencies. Each relationship is more likely to support development when there are links between home and child care, in the form of visits and cooperative exchanges of information. (Berk, L. E. 2013 pg. 27) When parents talk with adolescents about their lives and experiences, about growing up, friends, balancing chores and homework, and their goals and expectations for the future, those conversations have a payoff of less engagement in risky behaviors.(Washington Post 2003)

Mesosystem
(Brofenbenners Ecological Model)

The most important part of a persons life is usually their family. The Mesosystem describes the affect that family, friends, educational professionals, and community members have on a child. During adolescence children reach stages which they request more independence while being exposed to more influences. An adolescents interactions with family, friends, teachers, community members, etc. may all be different, some of which require more trust and respect than others and thus have different influence, ideas, suggestion, and support methods. Each interaction a child has influences them to make specific decisions in certain situations. The more positive influences a child has in their life, the more positive decisions that child will make. In adolescence, too, religious youth groups, special-interest clubs, and neighborhood organizations contribute to favorable development, including self-confidence, school achievement, educational aspirations, and responsible social behavior. (Berk, L. E. 2013 pg. 28)

 Adolescents can gain the following by having parental involvement:

Awareness of family supervision; respect for parents. Positive personal qualities, habits, beliefs, and values, as taught by family. Balance between time spent on chores, on other activities, and on homework. Good or improved attendance. Awareness of importance of school (Joyce Epstein) Parent, teacher, student game night are ways to get parents involved Cultures represented at the school include White American , Hispanic American, African American, Asian American, and American Indian.

Parent Involvement

Communication
Adolescents can gain the following from communicating with others:

Awareness of own progress and of actions needed to maintain or improve grades. Understanding of school policies on behavior, attendance, and other areas of student conduct Informed decisions about courses and programs. Awareness of own role in partnerships, serving as courier and communicator. (Joyce Epstein)
Weekly phone calls regarding progress are ways to communicate with parents and students Cultures represented at the school include White American , Hispanic American, African American, Asian American, and American Indian.

Volunteering
Adolescents can gain the following by volunteering:

Skill in communicating with adults. Increased learning of skills that receive tutoring or targeted attention from volunteers. Awareness of many skills, talents, occupations, and contributions of parent and other volunteers. (Joyce Epstein)
Tree planting biannual ceremonies are ideas for volunteering Cultures represented at the school include White American, Hispanic American, African American, Asian American, and American Indian.

 Adolescents can achieve the following by learning at home:

Gains in skills, abilities, and test scores linked to homework and classwork. Homework completion. Positive attitude toward schoolwork. View of parents as more similar to teacher and of home as more similar to school. Self-concept of ability as learner. (Joyce Epstein) Film subject reviews to be posted on YouTube or emailed to students, staff or parents are ways to learn at home. Cultures represented at the school include White American , Hispanic American, African American, Asian American, and American Indian.

Learning at Home

Decision Making
Adolescents can gain the following by participating in the decision making process: Awareness of representation of families in school decisions. Understanding that student rights are protected. Specific benefits linked to policies enacted by parent organizations and experienced by students. (Joyce Epstein) Internships are ways to make decisions.

Cultures represented at the school include White American , Hispanic American, African American, Asian American, and American Indian.

Collaboration With Community

Adolescents can gain the following through collaboration with others in the community: Increased skills and talents through enriched curricular and extracurricular experiences. Awareness of careers and of options for future education and work. Specific benefits linked to programs, services, resources, and opportunities that connect students with community. (Joyce Epstein)

Community based youth organization are ways to get youth to collaborate with the community. Cultures represented at the school include White American , Hispanic American, African American, Asian American, and American Indian.

References
Berk, L. E. (2013).Child development. (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Kahlenberg, R. R. (2003, Feb 04). Parents skipping school; involvement from home wanes as students get older. The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/409425201?accountid=32521 Joyce Epstein, PHD. (n.d.) School, Family, and Community Engagement [Video file]. Retrieved from http://uscenter.savethechildren.org/SitePages/Speaker%20Series%20Epstein.aspx Sartor, C. E., & Youniss, J. (2002). The relationship between positive parental involvement and identity achievement during adolescence. Adolescence, 37(146), 221-34. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195947020?accountid=32521 Schleifer, M. J. (2000, 07). The great divide: Adolescence. The Exceptional Parent, 30, 12. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/223503019?accountid=32521