Engaging parents in today’s educational context is not just an "add on" but an essential component of effective schooling. School leaders play a central role in this process, serving as catalysts for fostering meaningful home-school partnerships and aligning shared-goals for student success. Research has consistently highlighted the value of parental engagement, citing its positive impact on school performance, student wellbeing, social and emotional development, and the overall culture of respect and collaboration within the school community. This study employed a mixed-method research design and utilized data from a validated parental engagement survey to identify both the barriers that hinder and the enablers that support productive parent-school interactions. Findings revealed three distinct levels of engagement: 1) underinvolved (characterized by disinterest or misinformation), 2) engaged, 3) overinvolved (marked by intense or excessive participation). These varied levels present school leaders with the complex task of engaging parents in ways that are aligned with their different contexts. In response, this paper introduces the SPARK framework as a professional guide for school leaders seeking to foster a more balanced and constructive parental engagement. SPARK outlines five strategic approaches: Stimulate interest and Promote learning among underinvolved parents, Amplify engagement for those already participating, Rechannel energy and Keep listening with Compassion for intense and overinvolved parents. In an era marked by rapid change and innovation, this framework underscores the need for adaptive, reflective, and collaborative leadership, which are vital for sustaining meaningful and effective home-school relations. Key words: parental engagement, educational leadership, professional leader, home-school collaboration, school

Authors:
Marites Veloso, Ateneo De Manila University, Philippines
Genalyn Sanvictores, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Genalyn Soledad-Sanvictores is the Principal of Ateneo de Manila Junior High School. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in education, specializing in Catholic Educational Leadership and Pedagogy, at Ateneo de Manila University.

Ms. Marites Veloso is the Testing and Research Director of the Ateneo Junior and Senior High School. She is also a lecturer at the Gokongwei Brothers School of Learning and Design (GBSEALD) She is currently a doctoral student at GBSEALD .

See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule

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