{"id":1887,"date":"2021-03-16T09:18:04","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T08:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stepsintospain.es\/?p=1887"},"modified":"2026-01-12T19:15:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T18:15:42","slug":"parental-involvement-in-spanish-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stepsintospain.es\/es\/parental-involvement-in-spanish-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Parental involvement in Spanish schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

Parents are the first educators of their children and will continue to influence their children\u2019s learning and development during the school years and long afterwards. Schools have an equally important responsibility in helping to nurture and teach future generations and parents trust schools to provide educational foundations for their children\u2019s future. At the same time, schools need to recognise the primary role of the family in education. This is why it is important for parental involvement in schools as it leads to parents and schools working together in partnership.<\/p>\n

Research demonstrates that effective schools have high levels of parental and community involvement. This involvement is strongly related to improved student learning, attendance and behaviour. Family involvement can have a major impact on student learning, regardless of the social or cultural background of the family. The results of families and schools partnering together is significant. Families that understand the education system and the difficulties schools face are a valuable source of support which schools cannot afford to underestimate. Schools that engage families in their children\u2019s learning are tapping in to a rich source of information and expertise and can help build communities.<\/p>\n

Parents Associations in Spanish schools are known as AMPA<\/a> (Asociaci\u00f3n de Madres y Padres de Alumnos). An AMPA brings together the parents or legal guardians of students enrolled in non-university education who voluntarily choose to join the group with shared objectives and purposes. They will be considered AMPAs if they belong to Infant, Primary Education, E.S.O., Bachillerato or Vocational Training centres.<\/p>\n

Definition of AMPA<\/strong><\/p>\n

– The natural channel for collective participation of students\u2019 parents and it ensures their involvement with regards to the education of their children.
– A meeting place for parents who want to participate in their children\u2019s education as more than just sending them to school.
– An institution within the school which should protect the rights of the pupils, the parents, the school and the staff.
– A bonding place for parents, which must contribute to their children\u2019s education, and a means for them to participate in the educational community, as educators of their children.<\/p>\n

AMPA\u2019s responsibilities<\/strong><\/p>\n