How Can Educational Institutions Assist Parents?

Child care access, financial insecurity, and time constraints are significant barriers to college completion for student parents, who make up over 20% of the college-going population. To support student parents, colleges can implement seven ways: online degree programs, financial assistance for student parents, on-campus childcare services, student parent housing assistance, and single parent support.

To help student parents succeed in academia, universities should adopt student-centered policies and create environments where they feel welcomed and supported. Generation Hope recommends creating or increasing online degree programs, financial assistance for student parents, on-campus childcare services, student parent housing assistance, and single parent support programs.

Students with children often have higher average GPAs than nonparents, but most leave college before completing a degree. Ensuring that student-parents have access to high-quality child care is crucial for their degree completion and supporting their children. Offering validation, advice, and community can help improve relationships with their children.

Several colleges and universities have implemented student-parent-specific support programs and spaces on campus to provide parenting support. Educational institutions can also utilize their residential spaces to create family-friendly housing options or partner with local resources. Tailoring specific programming to student parents, such as orientation sessions, affinity groups, and mentoring programs, can help students succeed in college. Additionally, schools should ensure they offer grant aid, such as scholarship programs and early registration for classes and childcare on campus.

Why Is Family Support Important In College?

The Foundation of Success: Emotional and Psychological Support emphasizes the crucial role of family involvement in a student's academic journey. Family support, characterized by being present, understanding, and empathetic, serves as a significant resource for students facing personal and academic challenges. This support is especially vital for diverse groups, including Latino/a/x, non-traditional, and low-income students.

Strong family relationships during college can foster a continuous support system, enhancing resilience and a sense of purpose. Research indicates that students with robust family support are more likely to excel academically.

Moreover, emotional and psychological backing from family enhances psychological well-being, facilitating greater student engagement. For first-generation college students, family support often guides them through their educational journeys. The connection with family remains essential as students enter college, with many desiring ongoing communication and positive relationships. The importance of rebuilding in-person connections between schools and families has been highlighted as essential for promoting student success.

Studies show that acknowledging informal family support can alleviate challenges students face, particularly underrepresented minority students. Overall, family engagement is critical for fostering academic achievement and overcoming barriers, reinforcing the idea that family emotional support is foundational to students' success.

What Are The Six Types Of Parent Involvement?

Dr. Joyce Epstein of Johns Hopkins University has identified a framework that outlines six types of parental involvement essential for promoting student success and collaboration between schools and families. These types are: 1) Parenting, which focuses on helping families establish supportive home environments for children; 2) Communicating; 3) Volunteering; 4) Learning at Home; 5) Decision Making; and 6) Collaborating with the community. Educators can assist parents by providing workshops on parenting skills, facilitating access to support programs, and encouraging positive role modeling.

Each type of involvement aims to strengthen the partnership between parents, schools, and the community to enhance children's educational experiences. The framework not only provides practical suggestions for enhancing family engagement but also addresses challenges and expected outcomes for each involvement type. By fostering these relationships, schools can create environments that embody the holistic development of children, ensuring they thrive as students. This systematic approach to parental involvement is crucial for building effective school-family-community partnerships.

What Resources Are Available For Student Parents?

Some colleges and universities are creating specialized resources for student parents, including child care, support groups, financial aid, and advising services. For instance, the Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney provides full-time child care for students, faculty, and the local community. The Department of Education (ED) aims to strengthen parent engagement in education, emphasizing the importance of parent-school partnerships for student success.

They offer free, user-friendly resources for families transitioning to home learning, covering scheduling and lesson planning, while also providing bilingual materials on various topics, such as online safety and technology use. These resources help support students’ unique educational needs and foster community engagement. To aid student parents, some institutions prioritize on-campus child care access and offer enrollment incentives. A guide from BestColleges.

com provides information on the transition to college, including accommodations and scholarships for student parents. Institutions also frequently offer priority registration, academic counseling, and clubs for student parents. Addressing basic needs such as housing and financial assistance is essential for supporting these families. Additional resources, including WIC clinics, provide assistance to eligible working and military families. By creating comprehensive support systems—such as mentorship and flexible schedules—colleges can help student parents achieve academic success and improve their economic stability.

How Can Parents Support College Students?

Supporting your college student can be a balancing act between showing you care and giving them space. While they might seem distant in their college excitement, they appreciate knowing you're thinking of them. Parents play a crucial role in recognizing when their child may be struggling and in supporting them through mental health challenges, helping ensure a smooth transition from high school. Communication is key: stay connected but avoid hovering.

Establish self-advocacy skills early by discussing important topics and encouraging them to seek help when needed. Offer guidance and strategies to cope with common college challenges, such as managing stress and navigating academic responsibilities.

Encourage independence while being a reliable source of support, helping them with essential life skills like doing laundry and managing tasks. Healthy parent involvement can improve college students' wellness and reduce negative behaviors. Maintain an open dialogue about their feelings and experiences, listen patiently, and show understanding. It's important to ask meaningful questions and create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing.

Remember that change is part of the college experience, and relationships take time to strengthen. Be a mentor who fosters their autonomy while remaining a supportive presence. Regular check-ins, whether through calls, texts, or visits, can reinforce your bond as they navigate this significant phase of their lives.

Can College Professors Email Your Parents?

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) prohibits professors from sharing student information with parents or others without the student's written consent. Recently, a parent contacted a college math professor, discussing their adult child's health and absences, illustrating the complex dynamics in parent-college communication. While respectful, this situation raises legal concerns, as professors should not engage directly with parents regarding student matters without student approval.

College students, considered adults, have a right to privacy regarding academic issues, and FERPA ensures their educational records are protected. Written consent from students is often necessary if parents wish to access their child's records. Although professors may discuss student concerns with academic advisors or flag students for care, they are forbidden from sharing personal academic details with parents. Students are encouraged to communicate directly with professors, utilizing email or in-person visits, particularly during office hours for effective dialogue.

When emailing, it's recommended to maintain professionalism with proper signatures and clarity. Parents can foster positive relationships with college personnel, understanding FERPA's implications. However, they should generally refrain from contacting professors on their child's behalf, except in specific circumstances where consent permits. Students often need to advocate for themselves in their education and communicate effectively with faculty.

What Does FERPA Mean For Parents?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), enacted in 1974, is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of student education records. It grants parents the right to access their children’s educational records, request amendments for any inaccuracies, and control the disclosure of personally identifiable information. Under FERPA, a "parent" includes a natural parent, guardian, or anyone acting in that capacity.

The act serves a dual purpose: firstly, to provide parents and eligible students—those 18 and older—the ability to access education records, and secondly, to ensure the confidentiality of this information.

Once students reach 18 years of age or enroll in a postsecondary institution, they become "eligible students," and all rights previously held by their parents are transferred to them. FERPA applies to all public and private educational institutions receiving federal funding and protects students' records from unauthorized disclosure to third parties. Understanding FERPA is essential for parents, particularly when it comes to student academic information, such as grades and transcripts.

Overall, FERPA plays a crucial role in maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of student educational records, thereby ensuring both students' and parents' rights are respected regarding educational privacy.

Are Colleges Allowed To Contact Parents?

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), students have control over who can access their educational records, which means universities generally cannot inform parents about disciplinary violations without the student's consent. Colleges are prohibited from sharing student information, including grades and course registration, with anyone unless specific conditions are met. Parents may be informed of their child's academic progress if the student is declared a dependent on their most recent tax return.

Educational institutions are required to notify parents and eligible students annually about their rights under FERPA. While parents can request corrections to perceived inaccuracies in their child's records, they do not have automatic access to their child’s grades without the student’s permission. Colleges may disclose information to parents in cases involving imminent danger or if a student under 21 violates certain policies. Students can sign FERPA waivers allowing their parents access to specific records.

Parents also have the right to review their children's education records anytime. Although colleges are not obligated to keep parents informed, proactive parental notification can enhance student support. Ultimately, students must grant written permission for access to their educational information.

How Can School Support Parents?

Utilizing video tutorials can significantly support parents in understanding homework tips and study techniques, making it easier for them to assist their children at home. Effective collaboration between schools and families is vital for improving students' academic outcomes and overall development. Attending back-to-school night and other orientation events facilitates parent engagement, which is vital for bolstering students' learning and health.

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) provides guidance on enhancing parental involvement, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Initiatives that bring educators into community spaces can further encourage parental participation. Research indicates that active parental involvement correlates with higher academic achievement and motivation in students. Schools should maintain meaningful communication with parents, helping them navigate the educational process and fostering supportive home learning environments.

Parents are encouraged to engage in various ways, both at school and at home, by reading with their children and collaborating with teachers. Ultimately, strengthening parent-school relationships can create a conducive learning atmosphere.

How Can Higher Education Leaders Support Student Parents?

To enhance support for student parents, researchers recommend four key actions for higher education leaders. First, increasing access to affordable childcare is crucial, as studies indicate that students utilizing on-campus childcare are more likely to persist, graduate earlier, and achieve better academic results. Second, institutions should improve data collection and co-create family-friendly campus spaces, engaging student parents in developing supportive environments.

Third, comprehensive support systems must be offered, including flexible schedules, financial aid, mentorship, and counseling. This can empower student parents to balance their responsibilities effectively. Fourth, higher education leaders should track students' marital and parental statuses, enhance emergency aid, and commit to creating family-friendly policies. This acknowledges the unique challenges faced by student parents, especially post-COVID-19, and the need for tailored strategies.

Engaging diverse stakeholders, including parents and researchers, is essential for identifying and addressing institutional obstacles. Furthermore, fostering relationships between student parents and faculty can enhance access to vital resources, contributing to retention and success in their educational journeys.

How Do You Target Parents Of College Students?

To effectively engage parents of prospective college students, consider a strategic approach that emphasizes a quality online presence, tailored content, direct email communication, and personalized acceptance letters. These tactics are crucial for captivating parents and positioning your school as the preferred choice for their children. Understanding that parents significantly influence their college-bound kids' decisions, marketing messages must resonate with them. Notably, college students (ages 18-24), who wield considerable spending power—as a demographic that collectively spends over $200 billion annually—are often swayed by parental input.

Maximize engagement by launching targeted email campaigns while supplementing these with social media promotions. Remarkably, around 40% of parents share school-related emails with their children, highlighting the importance of your communication strategy. As part of an effective marketing plan, consider alternative avenues beyond traditional advertising. Sponsor college organizations, engage during student orientations, and avoid passive marketing methods like flyers. Instead, use robust platforms like Facebook and targeted online ads to reach parents based on education levels or specific interests.

Invest in advertising campaigns that speak directly to parental concerns, and consider partnering with platforms trusted by college parents for promotional opportunities. This dual marketing strategy targeting both students and their families will enhance enrollment efforts, making your institution appealing to parents and students alike.

Can Colleges And Universities Support Students With Children?

A new report highlights how colleges and universities can better support students with children to facilitate their academic success. Many student parents face financial strains while trying to complete their degrees. Institutions are developing targeted resources, including childcare services, support groups, and financial assistance, aimed at these students. The report suggests that flexibility in course options and creating mentorship programs between older and younger student parents can also promote their success.

Notably, the Biden administration has allocated $13 million to support 34 institutions in establishing on-campus childcare facilities, as over 1 in 5 postsecondary students are parents. While some colleges are making strides, many still lack adequate support for student parents. Surveys indicate that of the 582 colleges responding, only about 28 offer on-campus childcare. Overall, enhancing support services tailored to the unique challenges faced by student parents can significantly improve their educational experiences and outcomes.