All too often, parent involvement in schools is not much more than the summation of a parent-teacher conference and an open house night. If parents are ever contacted individually by teachers, it is usually concerning a behavioral or academic issue in the classroom, and parents are left with a negative view of what it means to be involved with their children’s school. However, parent involvement is vital in student success and in creating a healthy, effective school environment.

Project Appleseed's Parental Involvement Pledge is the primary tool in the Parental Involvement Toolbox. The Toolbox is the point of enrollment that schools take to become involved in Project Appleseed. The Toolbox is designed for educators and parent leaders who strive to increase and mobilize family engagement to improve student outcomes. Schools organize parent responsibility with an effective model that is research based, meets district and state mandates Title I and best practices. Use the Pledge to celebrate Project Appleseed's National Parental Involvement Day and Public School Volunteer Week!

A 10% increase in parental participation (a form of social capital) would increase academic achievement far more than a 10% increase in school spending. This is not an argument against school budget increases, but an argument for paying attention to social capital (Putnam, Sanders 2001). Research repeatedly correlates family engagement with student achievement, yet this strategy is rarely activated as an integral part of school reform efforts (Weiss et al, 2010).  Our program can increase family engagement by considering these steps.

Family, school, and community engagement in education should be an essential strategy in building a pathway to college-­‐ and career-­‐readiness in today’s competitive global society. Research repeatedly correlates family engagement with student achievement, yet this strategy is rarely activated as an integral part of school reform efforts. Now is the time to transform family engagement strategies so that they are intentionally aligned with student learning and achievement. (Weiss et al, 2010)

After a three year study of 14 schools engaging in teacher home visits for students, researchers at the California State University at Sacramento (CSUS) found evidence that home visits could increase student performance, jumpstart parent involvement, reduce discipline problems and increase overall positive attitudes toward school. If done correctly, a home visit program can give teachers, parents and students a better opportunity for connection, communication and collaboration.