Partnering for Success: Data-Based Parental-School Engagement in Low-Income Communities in New Zealand

• In Event: Poster Session 4
  In Poster Session: Issues in Education and Leadership

Abstract

In this paper we report the findings related to school-family engagement as part of a larger PAR project designed to improve student achievement in five secondary schools in New Zealand. The schools are located in low income communities and have high numbers of Māori (indigenous) and Pacific (immigrant) students. Parental attendance at bi-annual parent-teacher meetings had been as low as ≤ 10%. Traditional meetings were redesigned to provide set appointment times, longer meetings, student participation, and data-based, three-way discussions of students’ overall goals, specific achievement targets, current performance, and strategies (including family support) to maximise student achievement. Repeat surveys showed significant improvement in attendance, as high as 85% in some schools, and high levels of parental satisfaction.

Authors

• Irena Madjar, University of Auckland

• Elizabeth McKinley, University of Auckland