Imagine a world where parents feel empowered to assist their children in education, where parents and teachers work hand-in-hand to ensure every child thrives academically. Recent research has uncovered significant training gaps for teachers in this vital area, shedding light on how we can strengthen these important connections.

In a groundbreaking study published in the peer-reviewed journal Educational Review, researchers from the University of Warwick and UCL uncovered an eye-opening fact: more than half of England’s primary and secondary school teachers have not received training to engage parents in their children’s learning. With over 1,700 teachers surveyed, the results indicate a pressing need for improvement.

Teachers play a vital role in shaping the educational journey of students, and previous studies have shown that when parents are involved in their children’s education, remarkable benefits follow. Students exhibit enhanced behavior, better attendance, and greater motivation to excel in school. Yet, without adequate training, many teachers feel ill-equipped to foster these crucial partnerships with parents.

Lead author Cat Jones, a Ph.D. student at the University of Warwick, highlighted that teachers often face challenges when it comes to connecting with parents, especially those experiencing difficulties. “It’s evident that more training is needed,” she emphasized. The study revealed that many teachers had received little to no guidance regarding effective parental engagement practices or how to overcome barriers parents might encounter.

Helping parents take an active interest in their children’s learning—whether it be through reading together at home, attending school events, or accessing educational resources—is essential. Research suggests that parental involvement can sometimes have an even greater impact on student achievement than factors like socioeconomic status. However, not every engagement strategy proves effective. For instance, encouraging parental help with homework has delivered mixed results.

Researchers advocate for a rethinking of teacher training programs to emphasize parental engagement as a core component, a sentiment echoed across education systems in Europe, the U.S., and Australia.

The survey provided insights about educators in England, revealing that fewer than 30% of respondents felt their initial teacher training covered the basics of parental engagement. Only 13% felt prepared to identify effective engagement strategies, and a staggering 7% received training related to recognizing the challenges faced by disadvantaged parents. This gap is concerning and implies that teachers might be focused more on school-based engagements rather than broader involvement in learning at home.

Interestingly, the study found that teachers with more experience, those who are parents themselves, and primary school teachers tended to report higher confidence levels regarding parental engagement. This suggests that experience and personal background play significant roles in how teachers connect with families.

As education continues to evolve, the findings from this study remind us of the importance of preparing teachers to foster meaningful relationships with parents, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. “Parental engagement has profound effects on student outcomes,” Cat Jones noted. “It’s crucial that educators are equipped with the skills and time they need to support all families.”

The authors also acknowledged that their study has its limits and called for further research that would validate their findings and improve teacher training interventions in the future.