According to the Kentucky Department of Education, more than 150,000 Kentuckians are PTA members, which is one way parents can stay involved in their kids' school. Children are more likely to get better grades and enroll in college or tech school when their parents stay active in their education, said National PTA president Yvonne Johnson.
"We have seen how powerful it is when families, schools, and communities come together for children," she said. "We can make real, substantive change when we're able to do that."
According to research from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, strong relationships between teachers and families are linked to reduced absenteeism and improved academic success.
Johnson said some families may not know where to start. She said it’s up to schools to foster a welcoming environment for parents, noting that while school leadership and a rigorous curriculum are important, providing opportunities for families to have a voice in decision-making is critical.
"If you're not sitting at the table, you don't have a voice, and that's a really important thing," she said, "and that you're not just speaking up for your own child, you're speaking up for every child."
Overall, teachers also want more face time with families. More than 80% of educators say they would choose a school with more engaged parents over one offering a higher salary, but 73% say engaging with parents remains a challenge, according to research from the National Association for Family School and Community Engagement.
