Abstract
This chapter explores the dynamics of parental involvement in immigrant learners' education with specific focus on areas of involvement, possible challenges, and strategic ways of mitigation against such challenges. Parental support may take a variety of ways including learning activities at home, family involvement at school, school outreach programs that engage families such as volunteerism and supportive parenting activities. In this endeavor, challenges such as language barrier, culture conflicts, teachers' perceptions of parents and learners, literacy levels of the immigrant parents, curriculum diversities, as well as unavailability of resources are likely to arise. Mitigating strategies explored in this chapter include forums for educators and immigrant parents, training for parents on effective communication and school policies, as well as regular evaluation of parental support programs. This information is critical for educators and policy makers since it illuminates factors affecting the partnerships between schools and home environments for immigrant learners.
TopBackground
Research has established that the education of immigrant learners is greatly impacted depending on their parents’ involvement especially during the formative years (Tebben, 2017). Additionally, effective schooling requires continuity between home and school environments. Parents and family support their children’s learning in a variety of ways and in different settings including learning activities at home, family involvement at school, school outreach to engage families and supportive parenting activities by the school and community (Epstein, 2011). For immigrant learners, parental involvement plays a crucial role because their parents are basically the only support system available. When schools and parents work together to support the learning of immigrant children, the learners tend to earn higher grades, attend school more regularly, stay in school longer, and enroll in higher level programs. Researchers cite parent-school involvement as a key to addressing the school dropout crisis and note that strong school-family partnerships foster higher educational aspirations and more motivated students. This book chapter discusses the ways in which parents can engage in school programmes, outlines the challenges they are likely to face in the process and suggests ways of mitigating the challenges, in the Kenyan context.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Parental Involvement: Refers to participation of parents in every sphere of a child’s education and development. Parents get involved in school activities by attending Parents- Teachers Association (PTA) meetings, assisting their children to do their homework, attending academic clinic days, and many other activities organized by the schools.
Parental Care: Refers to any behavior pattern in which a parent invests time or energy in feeding and protecting its offspring, it includes provision of basic needs, showing affection and love, and any other behavior that indicates concern for the child’s welfare.
Parent: Refers to a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian.
Communication: Refers to passing messages from the school to the parents. The school uses various means to communicate to the parents like face to face, newsletters, phone calls, emails, et cetera.
Immigrant: Refers to a person living in a country other than that of his or her birth. This may arise out of political or religious persecution, war, or any other factor perceived as dangerous to the well-being of that individual. It could also be in pursuit of better career, job, or education opportunities.
Family-School Partnerships: Are collaborative relationships and activities involving school staff, parents and other family members of students at the school for the mutual benefit of the students.
Refugee: Refers to any persons who is outside their home country because they have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, or political stand.