When parents are involved in their children’s education, it is a win-win situation for everyone. Children’s chances of success in school are improved, parents feel more connected to their local school, and schools are richer for parents’ participation.

This workshop explored what makes an engaged parent as many believe ‘engaged’ parents are those parents who sit on school councils and volunteer regularly in the school.

The vast majority of parents do not participate on school councils, and may not have the time or ability to volunteer.

Research has shown that it is parents’ attitude toward education that can make the biggest difference in student success, not their involvement in school-based activities.

Carl Corter - Carl Corter is the Atkinson Charitable Foundation Chair in Early Child Development and Education, and Professor at the University of Toronto.

Jacqui Strachan - Jacqui works full time as the Parent Support Coordinator at People for Education, speaking to parent and education groups and providing telephone and email support to parents across the province. She runs workshops to help engage parents in their children's education.