As our children navigate the 13 year journey through school, it is natural to wonder about what’s at the end of it? We hear about the changing jobs environment driven by emerging technologies, with traditional careers disappearing and new ones emerging. The question arises as to what can we do as parents to set our kids on the right path? How can we set them up to have viable options, and as importantly, to help them grow into well rounded, happy beings in an increasingly complex world?

Well, a mountain of research has identified there’s much we can do as parents to make a big difference. It has been defined as “Parental Engagement”. This means a shared responsibility for education among parents and teachers, where learning transcends the school environment and formal curriculum.

Sounds great, but what difference does “parental engagement” make? Australian and international research has confirmed the following impacts:

· Higher grades and test scores

· Enrolment in higher level programs and advanced classes

· Higher successful completion of classes

· Lower drop-out rates

· Higher graduation rates

· Greater likelihood of commencing postsecondary education

Achievement of the above creates more career options for kids leaving school. So, whatever the world throws at them, they will have choices. What about social and emotional wellbeing? The ability to adapt and deal with challenges and lead a happy and fulfilling life? Here again the research into “parental engagement” has revealed positive outcomes:

· More regular school attendance and greater engagement in schoolwork

· Better social skills

· Improved behavior

· Better adaptation to school

· A greater sense of personal competence and efficacy for learning

So, what does “parental engagement” involve in practical terms? Some of the following:

· Communicating with kids about our expectations from education and the value of learning

· Discussing learning strategies (best ways to learn and integrate knowledge, free of distractions)

· Linking schoolwork to current events and related topics (e.g. dinnertime discussions on events of interest to the child and what they have studied in class)

· Nurturing educational aspirations and making plans for the future

· Providing a supportive home learning environment (designating an area for homework, providing access to reading material, helping with the organisation of homework/ study)

· Out of home/ school activities such as visiting museums, libraries, galleries, talks etc.

Whatever our own experiences of education in the past, personal beliefs about our role in educating our kids and effectiveness in doing so………..there’s no denying the evidence. Parental Engagement makes a big difference – to our kid’s career options and how they will end up thinking and feeling about themselves and others.

Paul Penberthy, Chair Carroll College Community Council, Parent Representative in the CCSP & CSPACG