Parent involvement is consistently ranked high among the key components of effective schools, and as a result is one of the brightest prospects for the future of public education. This study sought to develop a reliable measure to strengthen parent-teacher relationships that included previously unidentified aspects. Using a qualitative approach, 27 participants were purposely selected to be interviewed in order to determine the challenges stakeholders face in arranging constructive parent-teacher relationships. In addition to parents-teacher relationships, the goal was to determine the role of school principals in managing effective communication to strengthen these relationships between parents and teachers. Results identified numerous reliable parent involvement factors reflecting home monitoring, effective school involvement, and educational management. Attitude toward learning and competence motivation of learners learning behavior were positively identified when all stakeholders work together as a team. Education management that translates high expectations strengthens parent-teacher relationships for the sake of optimal learner development. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education Management)

This study examined the effect of parent involvement on the academic achievement of previously disadvantaged learners who was awarded scholarships to attend independent boys‟ schools in Johannesburg. Through a qualitative inquiry using a small sample of parents and teachers (SSP coordinators), the findings added to the existing literature review. There is evidence that parent involvement is essential in high school and that parent involvement at home has an impact on the learners‟ achievement irrespective of the parents‟ socio-economic status and level of education. Furthermore, the results support the assumption that, the sense of not belonging and other barriers that hinder parents from being involved in school activities could be resolved by improving communication and forging a healthy relationship between parents and teachers. This creates a need for a parent involvement programme that will attend to the needs of the parents and teachers. This programme will empower them with skills that will improve their partnership. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Parental involvement in education is not a new concept; parents have always been involved in education in various ways and to various degrees. Perhaps nowr parents are more sensitive to the important role it plays in ensuring the full potential of the child is realised. Departing from the premise, that it is important, useful and necessary, the researcher has embarked upon an in depth literature study of parental involvement in education in various communities and has undertaken an empirical investigation of the involvement of parents of pupils in secondary schools in the Phoenix North area. The main thrust of this research was to explore the obstacles to parents being involved fully in the education of their children and to make appropriate recommendations to the principals, as the school managers. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Educational Management)

This study on parent involvement in Early Childhood Development in KwaZulu Natal investigates the experiences of educators and parents of the different types of parent and community involvement as set out in the Epstein typology. In order to investigate this phenomenon a thorough background of the theory and practice of the Epstein model has been provided. In addition the work of other researchers that support the Epstein typology of parent involvement forms an integral part of the discussions. As parent involvement is the key focus of the study, parent involvement in education before and after 1994 are discussed. In this regard relevant educational policy and legislation that are designed to increase the role of parents and the community in Early Childhood Development are highlighted. Parents' role in the provision of Early Childhood Development is explored. The provision of Early Childhood Development in KwaZulu Natal, which provides a backdrop for the investigation, is explained. In addition contextual factors that influence parent involvement in KwaZulu Natal are provided. The research methodology and the research design used in this study are described in detail. By means of a qualitative approach the experiences of a small sample of educators and parents in Early Childhood Development are explored using the six types of parent involvement that include parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home and collaborating with the community as set out in Epstein's comprehensive model. The experiences of educators and parents of Grade R learners of the six types of involvement have been included. Although all schools engage in some form of parent involvement, it is evident that not all schools involve parents in all types of parent involvement to the same extent. The study concludes with recommendations for developing strategies to involve parents more effectively in Early Childhood Development in KwaZulu Natal. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Comparative Education)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Text in Afrikaans / Vanaf geboorte is die ouers en die omgewing wat hulle vir die kind skep van die uiterste belang. Ouers behoort 'n ruimte te skep waar die kind intellektueel gestimuleer kan word, begeleide leerervaringe kan ontvang en waar hy veiligheid en geborgenheid kan beleef Dit is in hierdie voorskoolse jare waar die grondslag gele word vir latere leer. Waar vroee stimulering en bemiddeling ontbreek is dit later baie moeilik om met insette dieselfde positiewe resultate te bereik. Begeleide leerervaringe is 'n essensiele komponent van en voorwaarde vir optimale ontwikkeling. Wanneer die kind aan geletterdheidervaringe blootgestel word in sy voorskoolse jare, kan hy, wanneer hy skool toe gaan, die insette en konsepte as "bekend" ervaar, omdat hy reeds vroeg al daarmee kennisgemaak het. Die ouers kan die kind se voorskoolse jare s6 ontwerp dat die kind se potensiaal optimaal verwesenlik kan word. In die empiriese ondersoek is onderhoude met ouers gevoer sodat hulle hul ervarings met hul kinders wat hulle voorskools gestimuleer het, kon weergee. Volgens die resultate blyk dit dat vroee stimulering waarskynlik 'n belangrike faktor is ten opsigte van latere prestasie. / Parents should create an atmosphere where the child can be stimulated intellectually, can receive mediated learning experiences (MLE) and where he can experience safety and security. It is in the preschool years that the foundation is laid to make learning easier later on. Where early stimulation and mediation is lacking it is very difficult later on to achieve positive results with the same inputs. When the child is exposed to literacy experiences in his pre-school years, he can experience the inputs and concepts as "known" when he attends school, as he was already acquainted with them. The parents can shape the pre-school years of the child in such a manner that the potential of the child can be realised optimally. In the empirical investigation parents were interviewed in order to determine the extent to which they supplied intellectual stimulation to their pre-school children. According to the results it appears that early stimulation is probably an important factor with regard to achievement in later years. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

This study investigated the involvement of parents in their children’s homework in the Umlazi District, Mayville Circuit, KwaZulu-Natal. A literature review investigated the nature of parental involvement in learner schoolwork, the role and function of homework in education, models of effective teacher practices to ensure parental involvement in homework and an empirical study that investigated perceptions of teachers, managers and parents regarding effective parental involvement in homework in education. The findings indicate that most teachers agreed that parental involvement in homework is important for learner achievement. The literature review and empirical investigation showed that lack of parental involvement was due to socio-economic factors. From the findings of the investigation, recommendations were made for parents, teachers, school managers and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to encourage effective parental involvement in their children’s homework and other aspects of their child’s education. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

This research is undertaken in Vhembe region in Limpopo Province. Many researchers, on the subject of ‘parent involvement’, have conducted in-depth research; this means parental involvement is not a new term. According to St John and Griffith (1997:48-52), there are important benefits that teachers, learners and parents derive from parents’ participation in school programmes and activities such as healthy communication, generation of interest and building positive self-esteem and confidence, to mention but a few while their children attending school during pre-primary, primary and secondary level. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether parents in Vhembe District involved themselves in the education of their children. The population of a study included three schools in Vhembe, six parents from each sampled schools, six teachers from sampled schools and each principal from sampled schools. The purposeful sampling technique was used to select the participants. The findings are briefly that: -Few parents indicated their appreciation of parental involvement by suggesting ways in which they could become involved, it was clear that a developmental programme should be introduced to motivate parental involvement; -It also came to the attention of the researcher that most of the parents did not attend school meetings because of lack of proper communication; -Parents were silent about the monitoring and supervision of their children’s work while they are at home, which can result in better academic performance. Parents should have high expectations for their children’s future and academic achievement. -It emerged from the interviews that many factors present barriers to parental involvement; like parents’ limited education, economic status, lack of a school policy, poor communication and teachers’ attitude towards parents. Recommendations -From the conclusions drawn above, it is recommended that parental involvement workshops be organised for school managers, school teachers and parents. -To improve parents’ attendance of school meetings, teachers should provide them with an opportunity to communicate their expectations and concerns. -In relation to parents’ role in their children’s education, parents should be motivated to ensure that their children accomplish their goals. -Parents should be empowered with skills of self-confidence, so that they will realise that their children have potential. -Schools should encourage parents to play an important role as partners in their children’s education. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Educational Management)

The study sought to investigate factors that lead to low parental involvement in rural and farm schools in the Madibeng area. The qualitative research method was used for the study and the interviews were used to collect data from the participants, particularly in-depth interviews and focus group interviews. The study discovered that the majority of teachers and parents did not know what parent involvement was; and it was also discovered that low parental involvement bears a negative effect on learners’ performance, learners’ discipline, cleaning campaign, fundraising, teachers moral, functionality of School Governing bodies and the effectiveness of the Quality of learning and teaching Campaign. As a result of the findings the study recommended measures to curb low parental involvement in schools around the Madibeng Area. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Submitted in fulfillment for the requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Technology: Education, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / In this critical reflective self study I have examined the Family Literacy Project (FLP) to determine the influences that contributed to the development of an approach to family literacy. This study responds to the question What influences contributed to the development of an approach to family literacy relevant to the needs of families in rural KwaZulu Natal? By identifying and exploring and critically reflecting on these influences I provide insights that can inform policy and practice in the adult education and early childhood development sectors in South Africa. The study includes my critical reflections on finding a voice within a self study and how this has contributed towards the development of a methodology. In the process, I have developed a deeper understanding and appreciation of what has been achieved in the FLP during the first eight years under my directorship, and why. In the study, I report on these insights. The FLP project in this study is situated in deeply rural KwaZulu Natal, where the existing extensive knowledge base is almost exclusively oral, and informed by well established insights, understandings and values. In this context, I have examined the roles of families, adult literacy and early childhood development to establish their impact on the development of literacy in families. Through critical reflection, I then identified the principles – active learning, holistic development, community and children‟s rights – underpinning the FLP and was able to establish how these impacted on the development and success of the project. I then examined the roles, practices and characteristics of the FLP facilitators, and the experiences of facilitators and those who engaged in the project. I also looked at the roles played by the community, the external evaluators, and the effect of exposure of the project in the public domain through attendance at iv conferences, publication of journal articles, and awards made to the project because of its successes. I conclude the study by suggesting how the insights from the study might provide support for others engaged in such initiatives and indicating how the topic may be further investigated. / National Research Foundation.

Most adolescents place pressure on their parents. The pressure varies, so there must be factors that contribute to the variance. An important objective of the investigation was to determine such factors from the parent’s side and from the adolescent’s side. It was also important to determine the most important factors in family functioning, and in the wider social context that affect the placement of pressure on parents by adolescents. A sample of 177 high school adolescents and their parents was used. Variables such as age, gender, family structure, working circumstances of parents, birth order position of adolescents, peer pressure, the parent-adolescent relationship, self-concept and personality were included in the study. The results indicate that the pressure that parents experience is associated with parental variables rather than adolescent variables. Parental self-concept, personality, and the parent-adolescent relationship (from the parent’s side) explained almost 63% of the variance in the pressure that parents experience. The conclusion can be made that it is not adolescents who deliberately plan to place their parents under pressure, but rather parents who make themselves vulnerable to such a situation. Any remedy or guidance programme will have to focus primarily on the parent, and the success of such a programme will depend on the way in which it supports the self-concept of the parent. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)