Joseph Padilla, a school board member in Wilson County, emphasized the necessity of increased parent involvement in education. Padilla is absolutely right.

Our organization, the Professional Educators of Tennessee, has consistently advocated for the importance of authentic and meaningful parent engagement and dialogue within our educational institutions. Encouraging parental involvement creates numerous opportunities for educators to strengthen connections between parents and the broader community.

In a community that values education, educators are strongly respected, fostering a supportive environment that encourages their commitment. We promote authentic parent engagement initiatives to create meaningful partnerships between families and schools, allowing parents to collaborate with educators and advocate for their children’s needs.

Public policy should empower parents and community leaders to contribute more effectively and efficiently to schools, districts, and the broader community. Parents play a crucial role in instilling values in their children, and children thrive academically and socially when they see their parents actively involved in their educational journeys.

The 1966 report, “Equality of Educational Opportunity,” commonly known as the Coleman Report, revealed that key factors affecting student performance included social class, family background, and parental attitudes toward education. Conducted by sociologist James S. Coleman, this landmark study shifted the focus of educational policy discussions away from inputs such as funding and teacher-to-student ratios, and towards actual student outcomes. Renowned researcher Eric Hanushek highlighted its impact, noting that the report fundamentally transformed how policymakers approached issues of educational quality and student achievement.

Our organization encourages adults, including retirees, to volunteer or mentor in local schools and community libraries, regardless of whether they have school-aged children at home. Experienced individuals can significantly enhance the educational environment.

Active participation from parents and community members is crucial. This involves attending school events, participating in parent-teacher meetings, and providing support for library programs that promote literacy. By being present in educational settings, adults help create a supportive atmosphere that benefits students and strengthens community ties, ensuring children receive the resources they need to succeed.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) aims to enhance educational outcomes, particularly for low-income students, by emphasizing the importance of family engagement. Schools receiving Title I, Part A funding are required to develop a written family engagement policy that outlines strategies for collaboration among schools, families, and communities to enhance student achievement.

While ESSA encourages family involvement, local districts and schools must foster meaningful relationships with families. A key step is to create a strong parent and family engagement policy at both the district and school levels.

We have advanced beyond simple community involvement; every citizen is a stakeholder. Public education should prioritize fostering community support and engagement. Research indicates that active parental involvement can significantly enhance children’s motivation, well-being, and academic performance. However, the right level of engagement varies from child to child and across different districts.

Engaged parents play a crucial role as partners in their children’s academic success. Research indicates that students tend to perform better academically when parents are more involved in their children’s educational pursuits. In Tennessee, we are elevating the focus on parent engagement, and parents should embrace this opportunity to become more actively involved.

Our association, Professional Educators of Tennessee, supports meaningful parental involvement in public education. Active parental participation fosters a stronger bond between families and the community. We endorse initiatives that promote genuine parental engagement and believe they should be a top priority in our schools. Parental engagement matters now more than ever.