Co-creating training across four European countries to support effective parent/carer engagement in primary schools for improved child outcomes.

Hudson, Ruth; Forrester, Gillian

Abstract

The DIGItal innovative Strategies for PArental and Civic Engagement (DIGI-S.PA.C.E) was a three-year Erasmus+ project involving partners in the United Kingdom (UK), Portugal, Italy, and Lithuania. The project developed innovative ways to engage parents in the education life of their child/children with the general objectives of preventing early school leaving, social exclusion and poor learning outcomes through proactive parental engagement. An initial needs analysis undertaken with schoolteachers, parents and stakeholders determined the protocol for parental engagement and development of the training modules (Pugh et al., 2020), alongside the creation of a Parent Support Advisor (PSA) role. Using Participatory Action Research (Cornish et al, 2023), each partner identified a specific need for development in their primary school or kindergarten. This need was addressed through a process of co-creation with their school community and families, and alongside educators from partner countries. The Kirkpatrick model of evaluation (Kirkpatrick and Kayser- Kirkpatrick, 2014) was modified to analyse the training modules and their impact on teachers and parents. Data were also generated via a focus group of participating teachers giving them an opportunity to elaborate on individual and collective experiences (Kara, 2020). Findings revealed that having an opportunity to learn more about the principles of co-creation and participation, partner schools began to appreciate the civic value in parental participation activities. This chapter reports on a follow-up study, post-project end. A questionnaire was designed to gather additional reflections associated with the ongoing impact of the project in each country. Findings revealed the extent to which schools had implemented training for parents and teachers utilising the PSA relationship. A communication channel between each respective institution, teachers and parents were established through the PSA and has evidently been successful in reducing barriers to parental engagement to improve educational outcomes. Schools and kindergartens worldwide may see this as an opportunity to implement ways of working with parents as co-creators to dismantle barriers to engagement.

• Deposit Date: Apr 1, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Series Title: Voices from the classroom
• Series Number: 4
• Book Title: Research and evidence-based perspectives in education: diverse discourse, connected conversations
• ISBN: 978-3-8188-0006-2
• Keywords: Parental engagement, co-creation, parent participation, teacher training, education outcomes
• Contract Date: Oct 1, 2024