PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION: BARRIERS AND THEORETICALMODELS FOR EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP

The parents’ involvement in education is defined as the constellation of actions performed at home and at school in order to advance their children’s success in academic, social, and behavioral aspects. The research literature differentiates between types of involvement such as involvement at home as opposed to involvement in the school, when every type has unique influence on the students’ success. This involvement contributes greatly to academic and emotional achievements, but deals with diverse challenges, including gaps in perceptions, socioeconomic barriers, levels of education, family structure, and number of children in the family. A number of theoretical models provide a framework for the understanding of the factors and means that shape the parental involvement. Despite the significant advantages of this involvement, there are systemic and personal barriers that make it difficult to realize the potential of involvement between the parents and the education system.