School system launches national parent involvement campaign

Staff Reports

MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County School System launched a parent involvement campaign at its third annual Back to School Expo on the square.

Called “Be There,” it is a multimedia research-based campaign designed to encourage parents to make ordinary moments extraordinary by connecting with their children during the daily routines of life. Connecting with children does not require additional resources of time or money, school officials said. It only takes a minute to make eye contact, to ask a question on the drive to and from school, while getting groceries or making dinner, doing laundry, running to the bank or reading a bedtime story. Teachable moments are everywhere.

“All signs point to a need for increased parent involvement,” said Superintendent Leonard McCoy. “We know that we can’t do it alone. We need more parents as our partners to reinforce the message that education is important and that students learn from their first teachers.”

One hundred percent of the research studies compiled by The Parent Institute, a campaign partner, indicates that parent involvement has a significant impact on student success. It only takes a small increase in parent input to see measurable results in student output, officials said. The Parent Institute compiled the following research that underscores the importance of parent involvement:

• The family provides the child’s primary educational environment.

• Involving parents in their children’s education improves student achievement.

• High-scoring schools and districts have high levels of parent involvement.

The benefits last a lifetime; they are not confined to early childhood or the elementary level. While children discourage parent involvement in secondary schools, research shows it is needed in middle and high school.

Minorities have the most to gain, school officials said. Children from low income and minority families benefit the most when parents get involved.

All photography, billboards, brochures, posters and videos of the “Be There” campaign reinforce the theme. All materials encourage a visit to the website, www.bethere.org, which offers more support and links to national organizations like The Parent Institute, and local organizations such as school districts and social services websites.

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