by Kyle Flood & Tricia Thompson of HandsOn Network;  Julie Moriarty of GenerationOn; Bonnie Andrews of Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee; and Devorah Vineburg and Anne Charneski of  Volunteer Center of Brown County

Volunteers are very valuable to schools.

Volunteering in a school has many benefits for students, the school, and volunteers

Benefits for Students

Students with volunteers support in their schools show:

1. Improved grades
2. Improved self-confidence
3. Improved social relationships
4. Higher test scores
5. Higher achievement
6. Better attendance
7. Homework completion
8. Greater graduation rates

When parents/guardians are involved, students tend to achieve more, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnic/racial background, or parent’s education level.

The more extensive the parent/guardian involvement, the higher the student achievement.

Students with involved parents/guardians generally have higher grades and test scores, better attendance, and more consistently completed homework.

Students with involved parents/guardians have greater graduation rates.

Students from preschool to high school benefit from involved parents and adult volunteers.

Increased adult involvement causes students to have better attitudes, more motivation, and higher self-esteem.

Suspension and disciplinary rates drop and antisocial behavior decreases.

Research indicates that when caring adults are involved in education, students do better in school and life, adults become empowered, and schools and communities grow stronger (Henderson & Berla, 1994).

Students do better when schools, families, and communities work together, and involvement (NCES, 2004) is strong.

Connecting schools, families, and communities is a key component to addressing the school dropout crisis, fostering higher educational aspirations, and motivating students. (Cotton, 2001).

Benefits for Schools

Schools with volunteer support are able to provide:

1. Increased individual attention for students
2. Extra hands on projects
3. Stronger ties to the community
4. Higher levels of parent-teacher communication
5. Increased capacity to better serve a wider variety of youth needs
6. Higher test/grade scores
7. Strengthened programs
8. Improved student behavior

Volunteers can positively impact academic achievement and social emotional development, promote career readiness, and decrease negative behaviors among young people.

Volunteers are also instrumental in creating community partnerships and promoting a positive image of the school within the community.

Millions of dollars worth of work is performed by volunteers annually (National PTA).

Benefits for Volunteers

Volunteers who serve in school enjoy:

1. Increased time spent with children and community members
2. Closer relationships between parents and children
3. Improved communication, management, and interpersonal skills
4. Improved problem-solving skills
5. Increased self-confidence
6. Opportunity to meet new people
7. Clearer understanding of school structure, curriculum, and politics
8. Valuable job experience
9. Opportunity to serve as a role model for students
10. Inspire, educate, and motivate future generations

Active parents, guardians, and volunteers in schools  improve personal decision-making and problem-solving skills, increase self-awareness, and foster self-confidence.

Parent/guardian volunteers form tighter bonds with their children and often find themselves having better communication at home.

In addition, parent/guardian volunteers aid their child’s transition of culture at home to culture at school (especially for ethnically diverse families). By assisting in this transition, parents learn the structure, and expectations of schools.

For more information, check out the Adult Volunteers in Schools Resource Guide.