How to Have Parents Be Involved in Their Kids’ College Readiness

When it was time to start thinking about colleges and starting to apply to schools, it was difficult for me.

I was the first generation to go to college in my family and my parents knew nothing about the college process. I felt like I couldn’t rely on them to help me with the process and I was lost.

As a master’s student in School Counseling at Boston University, my goal is to become a guidance counselor because growing up in the Boston Public School system;

I know how difficult it can be for the students and their families. The majority of students come from a lower class; therefore it can be hard for the parents to always be involved in school because of the language barriers, a cultural disconnection between schools and communities, a lack of welcoming environment, and lack of opportunities to become involved (McCoy, 2010).

That is one of the biggest problems in public schools in inner city; is that parents are not involved or not involved enough in their kids’ academic – especially with college process. Most minorities students cannot rely on their parents, therefore they would have to rely on their school faculties for the support and resources.

In McCoy’s research, parents who are involved in their kids’ college process; the student has a better chance of getting into four-year college/universities and succeeding.

It is important to have high school counseling departments and programs to build a personal and cultural connection between school and the parents, and make the parents feel comfortable to be in the school environment (McCoy 2010).

According to McCoy, here are some ideas to have parents be more involved:

1) Have College Nights with Parents: This can include talking about the college process, FAFSA, how parents can help.

2) Have Parents go on College Visits with the school:

It can be helpful for parents to see what college is like and how they can help transition their child into college.

3) School Counselors should outreach to the Parents: Sometimes parents need to be contacted because it gives them a push to actively partake in their child’s college planning.

4) Train Parent Volunteers: School Counselors can train Parent volunteers about the college admission process and then have the volunteers to conduct workshops and information sessions in the community for other parents. Those volunteers can have a better connection with the parents.

As a guidance counselor, not only it is important to have a relationship with students, but also with parents.

Having parents being involved in their child’s college admission process is extremely important and rewarding because students need their parents to support and motivate them. They will have the motivation to do well in school and in their college process.

References:

McCoy, C.H. (2010). Involving low-income parents and parents of color in college readiness activities: An exploratory study. Professional School Counseling, 14(1),115­‐124.