Using Participatory Action Research to Create Systematic Parent Engagement

Debbie Pushor

doi:10.53956/jfde.2018.131

Abstract

Despite ample research supporting the value of strong family, school, and community partnerships, few districts or communities have been able to support and sustain systematic parent engagement. This article focuses on the efforts undertaken by a research team in Saskatoon, Canada to develop a model that empowers parents to systematically engage with educators and schools in order to enhance educational and social outcomes for children and parents. Central to this effort has been the use of participatory action research (PAR) as a means to honor and engage the experiences of diverse community members. This article highlights specific PAR methods that supported the development of a more systematic approach to parent engagement. The experiences described demonstrate how the improvisatory and responsive nature of the PAR approach help to both build trust and create more sustainable changes in communities.

Highlights

Decades of research demonstrate that parent engagement1 is linked to improved academic, social, and behavioral outcomes for students and families (Brown, 2007; Hong, 2011; Mapp, 2013; National Centre for Families Learning, 2014)
If schools are to narrow the achievement gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, students living in contexts of poverty and those who are not, newcomer students, and students who speak English and are acculturated to Canadian schools and society, it will take a systematic approach to engaging parents and to addressing out-of-school factors that impact student learning (Bryk, Sebring, Allensworth, Luppescu, & Easton, 2010; McDaniels, 2017; Walsh & Murphy, 2003)
We worked to consciously attend to the diversity within the community as we extended invitations and opportunities, and we sought the engagement of Indigenous, newcomer, and majority Canadian children, parents, and family members

Summary

Introduction

Decades of research demonstrate that parent engagement1 is linked to improved academic, social, and behavioral outcomes for students and families (Brown, 2007; Hong, 2011; Mapp, 2013; National Centre for Families Learning, 2014).

Results

Conclusion