Parent & Caregiver Engagement
A Relationship Between Home and School that Supports and Improves Student Outcomes
Why Parent & Caregiver Engagement is Important
Studies show that student achievement and well-being improve when parents and caregivers play an active role in their children's education, and that good schools become even better schools when they are involved.
Students are more likely to be motivated, earn higher grades, have better behaviour and social skills, and continue their education to a higher level when their parents and caregivers are actively engaged in supporting their success at school.
Parents contribute to their children's learning at many levels:
At home, parents create the conditions to support student learning (e.g. read to their children, talk about school and help with homework).
At school, parents participate in parent-teacher dialogues, volunteer in the school and on school committees, and participate in School Councils.
At the board, parents provide advice on parent engagement and communicating with parents as members of the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) such as PIAC.
How to Bring Parent and Caregiver Knowledge to the Education System
Join your School Council
Volunteer in your children's school
Join a School Committee. Parent/caregiver members are required on school committees including Caring & Safe Schools, Staffing, and the School Improvement Plan. Parents/caregivers are also encouraged by the Board to join the school's Budget committee
Attend Ward council meetings. Ward meetings provide an opportunity for parents and caregivers in the ward to meet with their local school trustee to discuss issues of common concern and to learn about TDSB programs and initiatives
Participate in the Consultation process. Provide feedback on education changes or initiatives to the TDSB or Ministry of Education via surveys, public forums, and committees
Participate in the TDSB Vice-Principal selection process. A parent sits on the interview team for each candidate. Any parent/guardian interested can contact pceo@tdsb.on.ca
Join (or attend the meeting of) a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) or Community Liaison Group (CLG).
Including PIAC, the TDSB has 12 Community Advisory Committees that advise the Board on its policies and programs, in addition to providing an advocacy role for caregivers and the community.
Community Liaison Groups facilitate an ongoing working relationship between the TDSB and system-wide community groups.
The TDSB Parent & Community Engagement Office (PCEO)
The Parent & Community Engagement Office (PCEO) leads family engagement in many ways. The PCEO:
Supports the Board’s many Community Liaison Groups (CLGs), Community Support Workers (CSWs), and Community Advisory Committees (CACs), including PIAC
Delivers Professional Development on Parent Engagement to Board staff
Reviews and assesses policies & procedures around parents, parent engagement, and School Councils
Supports School Councils with information, elections, disputes and technology
Coordinates services between Settlement Education Partnership Toronto (SEPT) and TDSB schools
Contact: PCEO@tdsb.on.ca