Navigating parental involvement: Restoring bridges and inspiring change

ABSTRACT

It appears that the predominantly European centered educational system has failed Black students. There is a disparity in academic success for Black students in comparison to White students. In 2013, it was reported that 34% of Black students and 9% of White students scored below basic on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (National Education Policy and Practice and Priority Schools Department, 2015). In a study conducted by Stanford professor Reardon, average test scores of Black students were two grade levels lower than White students (Rabinovitz, 2016). Black students at the national level scored 30 points lower than their White peers in 2011, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics (Bohrnstedt et al., 2015). Nonacademic factors such as student motivational levels, work ethic, and family/parent support have emerged as possible causes (Ratcliff et al., 2016). Research by LaRocque et al. (2011) supports the need for collaboration of parents and teachers to increase student learning. The need to build relationships with Black families is especially crucial to improving the academic experiences of Black students. Epstein's Framework for Parental Involvement should also be held under the careful lens of Critical Race Theory (CRT) when used in school districts that serve predominately Black students. In this qualitative case study, I describe the process and challenges of initiating and maintaining parent/ teacher relationships in urban, middle schools to improve Black students' academic performance. Data was obtained from interviews with 6 Black and 5 White middle school educators. The data gathered was coded and analyzed to draw out the perceptions teachers have about parental involvement and student achievement. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)