Engaging parents and adults in educational activities at school
Abstract
Students are more successful at school when learning is encouraged at home and in the communities in which they live. Through its innovative methods, The National School and Community Corps (NSCC) involves parents and other adults in programs and activities along with students, making them partners in their children's learning in schools that have significant poverty and the social and educational issues that accompany low income. Together, parents and students participate in reading programs, service projects, multicultural celebrations, scouts, sports, and recreation. Since 2000, about 2,000 family members and more than 3,000 community members have participated in NSCC programs annually. This effective practice was highlighted in the National Service News, Issue No.151, February 2002, published by the Corporation for National and Community Service.Issue
Students are more successful at school when learning is encouraged at home. However, parents are often overextended, trying to juggle more than one job or are coping with the difficulties of being unemployed, and/or do not feel comfortable going into their children's schools.Action
The National School and Community Corps (NSCC) involves parents and other adults in programs and activities along with students, making them partners in their children's learning. Together, they participate in reading programs, service projects, multicultural celebrations, scouts, sports, and recreation.- Teams of 5-15 corps members are assigned to individual schools, where they provide programs for students and adults focusing on literacy, the arts, and service-learning.
- NSCC entices parents to come to school with performances by their children, movies, and dinners.
- By coming to school often, parents communicate more with teachers on their children's progress and learn how to support learning at home.
- Excited by new ways to participate in school programs, and once comfortable, parents get involved and volunteer to help.
- Parents of students and other adults participate in programs to further their own interests and education. They experience workshops to improve their speaking and writing skills, attend GED and ESL classes, learn more about computers and the Internet and find comfortable ways of talking to their children about difficult issues such as drugs, AIDS, and sexuality.
- By demonstrating an interest in education, many parents become role models stimulating their children's improved performance.
- Students, families, and community residents cooperate in community service and service-learning programs, and local and national days of service.
- Family nights
- Programs to encourage parent participation in school activities and support of children's academic achievements
- Workshops on such topics as AIDS, stress management, drug/alcohol abuse, home safety, child abuse, and positive discipline
- Movie nights
- Saturday family fun
- Family literacy programs
- GED, literacy, and ESL programs
- Community service projects involving school children, parents, and community residents
- Newsletters
- Parenting classes
- Visual and performing arts
- Conflict resolution and violence reduction
Context
The National School and Community Corps (NSCC) is an AmeriCorps*National Program of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation of Princeton, New Jersey. The Philadelphia and New Jersey sites are directly operated by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, while local I Have A Dream Foundation programs are responsible for the Oakland and Fort Worth operations.
Approximately 300 corps members (2002) serve children and schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Oakland, CA; Fort Worth, Texas; Plainfield and Trenton, New Jersey. These schools are in neighborhoods that have significant poverty and the social and educational issues that often accompany poverty. The schools frequently have Title I designation, limited resources, and are often overcrowded.
NSCC is a multi-site program in which all sites have a common mission, program parameters, and similar team composition. Each school's programs and activities vary in response to specific unmet needs. However, all teams provide programs for students and adults in three areas: literacy, the visual and performing arts, and service-learning. Programs are provided at all schools during and after school, on breaks, and during the summer. Some of NSCC's innovative school programs include conflict resolution, mentoring, recreation, and creation of student government. Integral to site planning, implementation, follow through, and success are the roles of parents and neighbors, community, and business leaders.
While most NSCC programs take place in the school, NSCC teams also provide service to children and adults in facilities in the community such as recreation centers, libraries, public housing units, and senior centers.
Note: In September, 2002, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation discontinued its NSCC division. Built on the strength of the NSCC design, services, and accomplishments, EducationWorks was established to expand existing programs, and to develop new ones.
Outcome
- Students build relationships with caring adults, do better in school, discover new skills and ideas, and develop confidence in themselves and their future.
- Parents participate more fully in the education of their children and further their own education.
- Teachers benefit from strong support inside and outside the classroom; their schools become better learning environments.
- Community members—residents, store owners, police, churches and mosques, local organizations—work more closely with their schools and one another, and improve their neighborhoods.
- Thousands of students, their family members, and other adults have acquired an ethic of service to their community through participation in service-learning programs.
- Dozens of schools have become community centers, offering programs for children and adults before school, during school, after school, on Saturdays, and during the summer.
- Corpsmembers extend their skills in education and human services, and obtain resources to continue their own education.
- The value of the service-learning component of NSCC was fully acknowledged by the School District of Philadelphia, and in part, led to the Board's adoption of a service-learning requirement of all students.
Evidence
According to The National Service News, during the 1999-2000 school year:- NSCC programs reached more than 22,000 students, 1,950 families, and 3,300 other community residents.
- More than 1,000 adult community volunteers participated in NSCC efforts, along with 142 partner organizations
- Involvement of parents in the schools increased as more than 5,000 adults participated in school activities.
- About 2000 family members and more than 3000 community members have participated in NSCC programs annually.
- Nearly all parents and three-fourths of community members have reported a positive change in their feelings toward their neighborhood schools and education.
- Annually over 100 adults work toward their GED, 240 improve their reading skills, and 300 attend life skills workshops.
- More than 3,000 adults and families attend school events each year to support student activities.
Posted On
August 26, 2002For More Information