The Effects of a Formal Empowerment and Education Program on Parent's Empowerment and Involvement in Their Child's Education

Thesis advisor: Irwin BlumerThesis advisor: James MariniThe effects of a formal empowerment and education program on parent's empowerment and involvement in their child's education. By Michelle Gomes Sanchez Through decades of research and data collecting, the effects of parent involvement in their child's education on a student outcomes has been examined through countless lenses; each with findings indicating its tremendous positive impact with benefits that extend beyond a child doing better in school. This dissertation, through a cross case-analysis of six parents, attempted to determine if parents felt more empowered as a result of participating in an education and empowerment program and in turn if that feeling of empowerment compelled them to be more involved in their child's education. The study examined changes in parent attitudes and perceptions of empowerment, as well as levels of engagement after participating in the training program that was specially designed to provide them with the skills needed to become better involved in their child's education. The workshops focused on empowering them with knowledge about social and cultural capital as well as different issues related to the development and education of their child such as communicating effectively with your child, creating a homework environment, having powerful parent teacher meetings, creating valuable two-way lines of communication with the school, as well as understanding child development. Overall, the project created a very successful parent program that increased parent involvement by providing workshops specifically targeted at educating and empowering parents in order for them to feel more confident in their abilities to be an effective advocate for their child. The study made cleat that parent involvement can not just be a statement in your handbook or mission statement; it must be a priority of the school and be embedded into the school culture, with staff buy-in and deliberate parent education about cultural and social capital and its effects on their involvement and must provide them with the resources needed to most effectively navigate the school system.Thesis (EdD) — Boston College, 2010.Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education.Discipline: Educational Administration