Although most news regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is negative, one positive outcome has been increased communication between county parents and teachers.

Butler County school representatives have noted greater participation between educators and parents as they have sought to keep the quality of education for children intact while homebound.

While nearly all teachers — and arguably most parents — would agree that in-person instruction is the best method for learning, this semester’s virtual instruction has provided a boost to parent-teacher involvement.

If COVID-19-inspired communication trends have increased the participation of parents with teachers, then we encourage school districts to continue these methods once the pandemic has subsided.

Scott McCarthy, a Mars Area High School Spanish teacher, said he’d witnessed a decline in attendance in recent years for typical parent-teacher events, such as open houses.

Waterford Early Learning — a technology-based program that focuses on early reading, math and science — notes that parent engagement and involvement are key components of success for a child’s education.

On the program’s website, Waterford.org, parent involvement is simply defined as taking part in your child’s education. Parent engagement is described as teachers involving parents in meetings or events and parents committing to provide support at home. In return, teachers commit to listening to parents and finding a way to collaborate.

Both are important components, and Waterford Early Learning notes that when parents stay involved in their child’s education, “the child is less likely to have behavioral problems and more likely to succeed in academic performance.”

Students with supportive parents are also more likely to attend school regularly, complete homework, earn higher grades and test scores, develop better social skills, graduate and attend college.

The good news is that McCarthy — and other area educators — have seen an increase in parent participation, most likely because they’ve been forced to oversee their homebound student day after day for the past two months.

The first week of this month was National Teacher Appreciation Week, and Butler parents overwhelmingly said they approve of the job their child’s teachers have done during COVID-19. Likewise, teachers have appreciated the efforts made by their students’ parents.

“Good communication leads to productive cooperation,” one South Butler Intermediate Elementary School teacher said. It’s hard to argue with that.

Virtual channels made available for teachers and parents during COVID-19 have led to greater communication, and we hope these resources will remain intact long after the pandemic is a distant memory.

— NCD