Conference

2008 Safe Internet Use

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Highlights of previous SSBA conferences :-

2007 Developing a Parent Council and Encouraging Parental Involvement

2006 The Way Forward for Parental Involvement

2005 Parents in Partnership

2003 Partnerships and responsibilities

2002 SSBA is fit for the future

2001 Roadshow

2000 International
and published book
available here online

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Workshops
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Parent Participation in Elementary Schools in Iceland

Excerpt from a lecture on parent participation in elementary schools in Iceland:
The law, the situation today, and suggestions for improvement.

Both the Elementary School Act of 1974, and its revision of 1995 state that the role of the elementary school is to prepare pupils for life and work in a constantly evolving democratic society in co-operation with their homes. The Elementary School Act of 1974 invited parent associations, and by 1983, when the organisation of parent associations was founded, they were operating in all elementary schools in Reykjavík. Since its foundation in 1992, the organisation Homes and schools, has had positive impact on school-parent co-operation and encouraged parents to take a more active part in their children’s education.

The greatest step taken so far, is the clause about parent councils in the Elementary School Act of 1995. It states that at each elementary school there should operate a parent council, with three members from the parents’ side, not currently employed at the school. The main objectives of these parent councils are to discuss and review the school’s curriculum as well as other school policies, ensure that parents are informed of all changes in policy, and to monitor the enactment of the policy.

With the new Main curriculum for elementary schools of 1999, parents’ rights and obligations are further elaborated, as are stipulations of mutual and comprehensive co-operation between parents and schools.

Have the laws been enacted?

Not in every way, of course. Things have improved on several issues over the years, while others still have a long way to go.

For example, Homes and schools have urged parents to set rules or guidelines concerning behaviour or use of drugs or alcohol. This project is called "Role model parents" and is meant for parents of 11-15 year olds.

By now all schools in Reykjavík have introductory courses for parents of 6 year olds when they start school. More innovative projects are scheduled.

However, the co-operation needs to be both more extensive and more comprehensive. A research I conducted among parents of children in the 3^rd and 9^th grade, in Reykjavík 1998, found that parents want to emphasise mutual co-operation, and more parent consultation, as they know their children’s interests and talents or deficiencies best.

But how can we improve this co-operation? In the aforementioned research thesis We Know Our Children Best – Do Parents Have the Influence They Desire in Schools, And What Are Their Priorities Concerning Schools? I suggest the following:

1. Welcoming parents at the school, and giving them a chance to monitor how their children’s studies are going as well as how they are doing socially, emotionally and physically.

2. Ensuring both mutual and frequent exchange of information, as well as free exchange of opinions and other communication. Special emphasis should be on co-operation about individual students, the class, and the school as a whole.

3. Encouraging parents to show interest in their children’s schoolwork and assist them as best they can. Homework should be well organised and parents should have access to training and courses in various subjects.

4. Getting some of the current obstacles out of the way, e.g. allotting teachers more time dedicated to parent co-operation, businesses need to respect parents’ needs to participate in their children’s schooling, and teacher education should put more emphasis on co-operation.

5. Open the school up to the community, making it a cultural neighbourhood centre.

6. Each school should make a policy on parent co-operation and incorporate it into other curricula and policies, inviting parents to aid in policymaking and influence decisions.

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