Parental Involvement in Student Education

NACADA International ConferenceJune 2013

Presentation Outline* and References*

Abstract

In cultures where parents and other family members hold tremendous power over the lives of students, advisors face particular challenges in approaching the process of academic advising. It also offers opportunities for parental involvement in ensuring student success. This session will look at such challenges and opportunities associated with high levels of parental involvement. Participants will learn about the level of parental involvement Asian and Middle Eastern students can experience, impact of parental involvement on students’ motivation, how to appropriately involve parents in advising students on academic probation, and some strategies used to manage confidentiality of student records.

* Subject to change

Rationale

To truly have a global perspective on advising practices, it is important to consider the cultures around the world and how they impact local advising practices. In a collectivistic culture, where multiple generations live under the same roof and the head of the household has tremendous power, advisors face particular challenges in approaching the process of academic advising including confidentiality of student records, exploration of majors and interests, recommendations for courses and other educational experiences, etc. It also offers opportunities for parental involvement in ensuring student success. Let us look at such challenges and opportunities associated with high levels of parental involvement in students’ education. Consider the level of parental involvement Asian and Middle Eastern students can experience, impact of parental involvement on students’ motivation, how to appropriately involve parents in advising students on academic probation, and some strategies used to manage confidentiality of student records.

Presenter

Dr. Mehvash Ali, Director of Academic Support Center at American University of Sharjah (AUS). Located in Sharjah, the cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates, AUS is a multi-cultural, not-for-profit, co-educational institute of higher education based on an American system of higher education but grounded in Arab culture. It has emerged as the leading institute of higher education in the region. It is licensed and accredited in the United Arab Emirates and is also accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the United States. AUS offers several undergraduate and graduate degrees in 4 colleges: College of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Architecture and Design, and School of Business Management. Academic Support Center provides academic advising for undergraduate students at AUS as well as academic accommodations for students with disabilities.

Contact information

Mehvash Ali, Ph.D.

+971-06-515-2049

mehvashali@gmail.com

mehvash@aus.edu

I. Introduction

II. Increasing parental involvement in higher education

III. Reasons for increase in parental involvement

IV. Parent characteristics

V. Parenting styles

VI. Student Characteristics

VII. Asian and Middle Eastern family structure

VIII. Emerging adulthood

IX. Stages of parental involvement

X. Vectors of student identity development

XI. Overview of FERPA regulations

XII. How parental involvement is managed in an American University located in the Middle East

A. Demographics

B. Challenges

C. Types of parental requests

D. Policies regarding communication with parents

E. Confidentiality

F. Effects of parental involvement

XIII. Roles of parents, advisors, and students

XIV. Things to consider when devising a parental interaction policy for an advising office

XV. Lessons from a psychologist

XVI. Resources to share with parents

XVII. References

Note: Numbering of references is based on order of use and citation in presentation.

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2. Johnson, H. E. (2004). Educating parents about college life. The Chronicle Review, 50 (18).

3. Savage, M. and Petree, C. (2009). National survey of college and university parent programs. Retrieved from the University of Minnesota Web site: http://www.parent.umn.edu/ParentSurvey09.pdf.

4. Watson, A. (2007). Parental Involvement in higher education: Using the perceptions of parents and administrators as the basis for improving institutional policy and practice. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Johnson & Wales University, Rhode Island.

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10. Menezes, M. D. (2005). Advisors and parents: Together building stronger advising relationships. Retrieved from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising resources website http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/tabid/3318/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/114/article.aspx

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