What effect can parental engagement have on students’ attitudes toward school, attendance, behaviour, marks, graduation rates, and their sense of personal competence?
Prof. Debbie Pushor of the University of Saskatchewan has been studying the relationship between families and schools for many years and will share the latest research at the 12th annual Parent Learning Forum, a partnership between the Thames Valley Parent Involvement Committee and the London District Catholic School Council.
“Research shows the more we’re engaged in our children’s education, the more successful they will be,” said TVPIC Chairperson Arlene Morell, noting that Pushor is one of Canada’s leading researchers into the effects of parent engagement.
The day-long forum on Saturday, Oct. 24, kicks off with remarks from Annie Kidder, Executive Director of People for Education, an independent parent-led organization working to improve public education in Ontario’s English, Catholic and French schools.
People for Education promotes greater civic engagement in the public education system and conducts research into the effects of policy and funding changes on schools.
Wrapping up the forum, Dr. Peter Jaffe and Teacher Katie Cole will lead a workshop intended for parents who want to learn more about the harmful impact of media violence and how to engage other parents, students~and school communities to address this issue.
Jaffe and Cole are on the cutting edge of research which suggests children and adolescents are being flooded with images of violence, racism and sexism through video games, movies, television, music, the internet and advertising.
Parent Learning Forum Saturday, Oct. 24,~ 2009 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m
8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks
Annie Kidder, Executive Director, People for Education
People for Education, an independent parent-led organization, working to improve public education in Ontario’s English, Catholic and French schools. In 1996, it began as part of the parent association at a downtown Toronto school and has grown to become a provincial organization. Annie will share her views on public education, which she believes has the capacity to transform and enrich children’s lives and is the foundation of a civil society. In a fully publicly funded education system, every child should have access to the education that meets his or her needs.
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Parent Leadership and Engagement
Dr. Debbie Pushor, Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum Studies, University of Saskatchewan
Debbie will lead us in exploring how we can move from practices of parent involvement in schools to practices of parent engagement and leadership.~This interactive workshop session will focus on increasing our knowledge of the value of parent engagement, and discover solutions to promote long-term partnerships between families and schools in support of increased student achievement.~
11:30 – 12 noon LUNCH
12 noon – 2 p.m. Media Violence – A Workshop for Parents
Dr. Peter Jaffe, TVDSB Trustee and Academic Director, Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women and Children, University of Western Ontario
Katie Cole, English Department Head, Medway High School, Consultant to the Provincial Coalition on Media Violence
Current research on media violence suggests that our children and adolescents are being flooded with images of violence, racism and sexism through video games, movies, television, music, the internet and advertising. Parents need to get involved and work with other parents and educators to address this problem. The workshop is intended for parents who want to learn more about the harmful impact of media violence and how to engage other parents, students~and school communities to address this issue. The workshop will provide up to date information on media violence as well as~ideas on how to implement a similar workshop in your community.
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