Understanding Stakeholder Involvement
Strategies for Involving Hard-to-Reach Parents
Schools reporting success in reaching hard-to-reach parents (those who do
not attend school events regardless of any efforts or invitations) are succeeding
by "taking the schools to the community." Hard-to-reach parents
are not confined to metropolitan areas, ethnic groups or socioeconomic levels.
They are found in all types of school districts.
Some strategies that may work include:
- Ask a person who is respected among the group to host
an informal social time in their home with the purpose of getting to
know the principal/superintendent. Dress down and show up with positive news that you want to share with the
group about what's happening at school. Your "agenda" is to try
and have a positive, interpersonal interaction with each person. Try and
learn one unique thing about each parent personally—strive to make connections.
Keep your formal presentation to a minimum and allow plenty of time for
a more informal question and answer time. Be as open and honest as possible
in responding. Invite participants to help brainstorm ideas for solving
challenging issues facing the district.
- Be available at local sites. Ask the administrative team in your district
to commit to two hours each month to make themselves available in the community
at places parents typically gather (think local "hot spots" like
the coffee shop, grocery store, etc.) Announce ahead of time that you will
be there (be sure to get the permission of the business owner) and want
to meet parents and answer questions.
- Ask for the help from clergy. Work with clergy in setting up opportunities
for parents and community residents to talk about the schools and ways
to help students. Ask the clergy for support and suggestions in reaching
key groups in the congregation that you haven't been successful in reaching
previously.
- Develop a key communicator network of key opinion
leaders in the community—including representatives of those groups that
you've been previously unsuccessful in reaching. The purpose of the network is to have a key group of individuals
that you can turn to for input and information dissemination when issues
arise. Meet with the group ahead of time and explain their role. Make a
special effort to include representation from disenfranchised groups.
- Have someone "shop" your school. Invite
five people you know from outside your community to come and "shop" your
school building posing as a new parent. Ask them to report back to you their experiences
and perceptions beginning with the first person who greets them and including
the perceptions they have of the physical grounds and facilities. Gather
the feedback and sit down with staff to discuss improvements where needed.
Source: Adapted from the School Communications Workshop Kit; National School
Public Relations Association
