Section 1: Academic Achievement - National Center for School ...

more teachers and volunteers involved, because the one-on-one assistance was especially
helpful. Although they were aware of the difficulty of the proposition, many commented that
having a teacher from Lowry Elementary present would be very valuable. Finally, parents
emphasized the importance of committing to the program. Many agreed strongly that if they
were given the support they needed, it was then their responsibility to make a commitment to
their children in order to assure their success in school.
Conclusion
A better understanding of the difficulties faced by Homeless and Highly Mobile families was
gained when parents living in Transitional Housing were given the opportunity to share the
barriers that limited parent participation in the education of their children. The Parent/Child
Homework Group was a program designed, developed and implemented with the involvement
of parents. Involving them in the process helped to maximize their strengths and empower
them to make decisions based on what they themselves identified as their needs. With the
additional support of the school and the community, they were able to break down barriers
and move toward meaningful participation in their children’s education. Given the
opportunity, parents can and will contribute to their children’s learning and achievement.
Action Research to Study Homelessness and High Mobility in School Communities 18