The Time Has Come To Awaken Family Engagement In Education

“One of the greatest liabilities of history is that too many people fail to remain awake through great periods of social change. Every society has its protectors of status quo and its fraternities of the indifferent who are notorious for sleeping through revolutions. Today, our survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant, and to face the challenge of change.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The time has come for those who lead and participate in various efforts to educate, develop, and provide care for children and young people to acknowledge the reality that family engagement is essential to their collective processes. It must also be acknowledged that strong relations must be developed and sustained between educators and parents in order for powerful levels of engagement to occur.

Student growth, development, and success depend upon families assuming their rightful place as active participants in their child’s educational program. An unfortunate reality is that some educators possess the capacity to cite numerous parental deficits as it relates to their lack of involvement with educational processes within many learning environments. However, my perspective is different. I promote the belief that those who provide education to students must set the example by taking the lead in growing strong relationships with parents. In doing so, systemic family engagement efforts will become more authentic as parental involvement will no longer be viewed through a lens of negativity. Ultimately, the level of parent engagement will increase. Finally, because the most current research connected to student performance suggests that learners with actively engaged parents achieve at higher and more steady levels, this powerful outcome, building deep relationships with families, makes a meaningful difference in the lives of students.

As I begin sharing my voice with readers on this unique writing journey, which will be my forum, I will share my passion for promoting family engagement in education. I look forward to you joining me on this enlightening venture.

Here’s my golden ticket that helps me accomplish my mission.

Dr. Deborah M. Vereen is a retired Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Principal, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Assistant to the Superintendent for Family and Community Engagement, and Professor of Multicultural Education. Her website is www.Drdeborahmvereen.com and YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1DPhBeA29UlybU9jzDkdQ.