Cooperation between school and parents

Cooperation between school and parents - education succeeds together

School is more than just a place of learning - it is a living space. In order for children and young people to feel comfortable there, learn well and develop, strong cooperation is required. Cooperation between school and parents is a central building block for this. It creates trust, promotes mutual understanding and strengthens the educational biography of each individual child.

What does cooperation mean in concrete terms?

• Parents are not just companions, but active co-creators of everyday school life. In North Rhine-Westphalia, their involvement is enshrined in law. It takes place at various levels:

• Individual level: Exchange information about the development of your own child - e.g. in parent-teacher meetings, at parent-teacher conferences or via digital communication channels.

• Class community: Involvement in the class council, support for excursions, projects or class activities.

• School level: Involvement in the school council and school conference, participation in school development processes, concept work or quality dialogs.

• Social level: Parents contribute their perspectives to school policy discussions, get involved in support associations or networks.

Why is this important?

Studies show: Children whose parents take an interest in school and cooperate with it are more motivated, more successful and better integrated socially. The school also benefits - through new impulses, feedback from the parents and a stronger anchoring in the social environment.

Conditions for success: What does good cooperation need?

• Reliable communication
  Regular, transparent exchange is the basis. Schools provide information about dates, developments and decisions at an early stage. Parents contribute their views - openly, respectfully and constructively.

• Clear structures and roles
  Parental involvement needs guidance. NRW offers a clear legal framework for this, e.g. via the Schools Act (§ 62-§ 75 SchulG NRW), as well as practical guidelines and further training.

• Appreciation and eye level
  Parents and teachers meet as partners with a common goal: the educational success of the children. Different perspectives are seen as enriching.

• Low-threshold offers
  Parent work is more successful if it is diverse, inclusive and close to everyday life - e.g. through parent cafés, multilingual information or digital participation formats.

Parents and schools pursue a common goal: the best possible development of the children. When both sides remain in dialog, share responsibility and support each other, a strong educational network is created - reliable, lively and future-oriented.

Tip for parents:
It is recommended that you contact the respective school to find out about opportunities to get involved - whether as a class representative, in the support association or on project days. Every form of participation counts.

Rights and duties of parent representatives in NRW

Who is a parent representative?
Parent representatives are elected in the class councils and represent the interests of all parents in a class or school.

Participation rights:

• Right to information
  Parent representatives are entitled to comprehensive information about school developments, decisions and plans.

• Right to be heard
  Parent representatives must be consulted on important school issues (e.g. school program, house rules, organization of lessons).

• Right of co-determination
  In the school conference, parent representatives vote on key issues on an equal footing with teachers and student representatives.

• Right of initiative
  Parent representatives can submit their own proposals and motions to school committees.

Tasks:

• Mediation between parents and school

• Participation in school development processes

• Organization of parents' evenings and information events

• Support for school projects and events

• Promoting dialog between home and school