The Evaluation of the Effects of School Newsletters on Parent Perceptions in an Urban School System

Abstract

The research regarding the benefits and outcomes associated with parental involvement is expansive. However, there is a dearth of empirical research that critically examines interventions that increase parental involvement in schools where participation is limited. This study enhances the research on parental involvement by exploring the barriers that exist for minority families in high need public schools and examining the effect of school newsletters (grounded in Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler's (1995, 1997, 2005) theoretical model of the parental involvement process) on parents' perceptions regarding school outreach efforts. In addition, a subsidiary analysis examines teachers' perceptions regarding the presence of parental involvement at their school and the frequency in which teachers encouraged involvement from their parents. Data from an experimental and control group parent and teacher sample was collected. In addition, a repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to determine if parent perceptions and their motivation to become involved were influenced by the bi-weekly distribution of the school newsletter. Teacher perceptions were analyzed using a t-test, followed by a repeated measures ANOVA for significant interactions. Informal surveys were administered to parents and teachers at the end of the study to assess their reaction to the school newsletters. Results showed that parents and teachers favored school newsletters and found the newsletters readable, informative, and enjoyable. Further, school newsletters can be used as a practical tool to influence parent perceptions, as significant increases in parents' perceptions regarding the school's general outreach efforts were indicated. However, increases in parent perceptions were greater in the control school location without the newsletter as an intervention, but with an established system in place for communicating with parents. Similarly, significant increases in teachers' reports of parental involvement behaviors were found, but also in the control school. Using one practical and feasible method for transmitting information to parents and promoting outreach was identified as a method to increase parent involvement. Implications for schools attempting to examine interventions to increase parental involvement in urban school settings are discussed.