Three Basic Strategies and Can't-Miss Ideas to Reel Parents In

By Alex Kajitani

No matter what grade level or subject we teach, when calling the parents of our at-promise students we’ve all had the exact same experience, many times over. It goes something like this:

Ring, ring…
Ring, ring…
Ring, ring…
Ring, ring…
Ring, ring…
(hang up phone)

If we are lucky enough to catch a parent, we’re often greeted by a less-than-enthusiastic person who seems uninterested in improving their child’s behavior or academic performance.  Convincing them to come onto our campus to meet with teachers is harder than the gum under our students’ desks.

However, we can’t give up.  Getting parents (or guardians) invested in their children’s education is a critical factor in reaching struggling at-promise students and helping them to succeed.  Connect with an uninvolved parent, and you can potentially turn your most challenging student into a valuable part of your classroom culture. 

Here are three strategies to try to “hook” the uninvolved parent:

1. Remember: Technology is Your Friend.  I must admit, I was a little offended last week when, five days after I left a message for a friend, he hadn’t returned my call, but I noticed that he had been very active on his Facebook page.  However, instead of dwelling on the fact that he was able to spend so much time chatting online but not call me back, I simply left him a short message on his Facebook page.  He responded to me immediately. 

We now live in a fast-paced, up-to-the-minute, technology-driven world, where communication happens online, in real-time, and consists of two sentences or less. Why not apply these principles to getting parents involved? 

Get a parent’s cell phone number and offer to send them a text message update of their child’s performance.  It could be as simple as “Miguel was off-task today. Please speak with him when you see him.”  Or “Valerie just got an A on her math quiz.”  Consider sending the text message while the student is right in front of you.  Perhaps this will not get the parent into the school for a meeting, but it will certainly keep them more involved.  When you do get the parent to agree to come onto campus, be sure to send them a “text message reminder” an hour or so before the meeting. 

Also, consider starting an on-line class forum, such as a Facebook page, blog, or teacher website.  Most forums take mere minutes to set up, and parents will be able to sign up, sign in, and get involved as often as they want.  It will also allow them to leave comments, or check what homework has been assigned.  Many forums can now be linked to the district website where grades can be immediately accessed by the parents!

2. Offer Free Food and Childcare.  Let’s be honest here, what would you rather go to: a free meeting or a free meal?  When inviting a parent in to discuss their child’s issues, mention that you’ll have coffee and muffins, popcorn and fruit, or whatever -- and let them know that you’ll have enough for the siblings as well.  If you’re lucky, the parent might even show up with some food to share.  Working in a predominantly Latino neighborhood, I’ve enjoyed eating more than a few delicious pupusas as the result of a parent meeting.

On the sibling note, we all know how frustrating it can be to try to conduct a parent meeting while younger siblings are running around (or out of) the classroom.  Plus, I often feel bad when having an honest conversation with a parent and student, and a younger brother or sister (who usually looks up to their older sibling) is sitting there listening to less than stellar things being said about the student. 

Consider teaming up with another teacher not involved in the meeting, and set them in a corner of the room with some age-appropriate books, supervised games, or activities that the younger siblings can participate in while the conference is taking place.  It might require you to repay that teacher with 20 minutes of your time later; however, we all know that getting an at-promise student on track pays for itself in the classroom management department!

3. Think Like a Salesperson.  A good friend of mine is a toy salesman.  Part of his job includes cold-calling toy stores to make appointments with store managers to come by and show them the latest products.  The problem?  He found it very difficult to get in touch with any of them.  

So, after leaving a message with his name and number, he began saying, “Tell xx I’ll call him back at 3:30 this afternoon.”  Sure enough, when he called back at the specified time, he suddenly found that many managers were expecting his call.   When leaving a message for a parent, try simply telling them that you’ll call back at 7:30 p.m. tonight (and be sure to call at that time!).  Not only does it take the pressure off the parent to call back, it unofficially makes both you and the parent accountable for the communication. 

Then, when you begin the conversation, start with something nice.  When my friend the toy salesman begins conversations with commenting on how happy everyone in the store seems, or how clean the floors are, the store mangers are much more likely to feel comfortable and relaxed.  Don’t our students’ parents deserve the same? 

Many parents of at-promise students have been experiencing phone calls from teachers for years now, telling them how badly behaved their children are, or how they never do their homework.  Consider starting the conversation by complimenting something the student has done recently (even if you have to dig deep into yourself to find something!).  This will not only help to establish rapport with the parent, but it might just encourage them to pick up the phone the next time you call!

In conclusion, hooking an uninvolved parent can be a frustrating hassle.  One of my colleagues recently referred to it as “trying to chase a mouse around the house with a spoon.”  However, with creativity, technology and some free cheese, we might soon find ourselves holding that mouse by the tail.

Alex Kajitani, known around the country as “The Rappin’ Mathematician,” was recently named the 2009 California Teacher of the Year (and a Top 4 Finalist for National Teacher of the Year).  He has won numerous other teaching awards and speaks to groups nationwide.  His company, Math Raps, has also won the RAPSA “Making a Difference” Award.  Visit www.MathRaps.com to check out some of his rap songs!