The Million Father March is a national educational effort to reach out to fathers and male guardians during the first few weeks of school each year. Many schools across the United States participate on the first day of school; others choose a different day during the first few weeks to highlight the importance of the male influence in the educational arena.
“[Research] findings show that fathers’ involvement…has a distinct and independent influence on children’s achievement…and that when they do get involved, their children are likely to do better in school. Unfortunately, many fathers are relatively uninvolved in their children’s schools”. (Nord, Brimhall, & West, 1997). “These results should encourage fathers to become more involved in their children’s schools and encourage schools to welcome fathers’ involvement.” (Nord, 1998)
Six years ago, the Parent University in Chicago began promoting the Million Father March on the first day of school in the Chicago School System. Arne Duncan, now the U.S. Secretary of Education, was the Superintendent of the Chicago City Schools and wholeheartedly supported the Parent University in its effort to engage fathers and male guardians. Consequently, this effective parent organization and the Chicago schools have successfully engaged thousands of men in supportive educational activities. In September 2008, when President Obama was campaigning for President, he took time out to return to Chicago and join the Million Father March by escorting his daughters on the first day of school.
The Parent University has expanded its efforts to create a national initiative focusing on engaging fathers across the country. Last year over 600,000 men in 500 cities joined the March on the first day of school. For the last three years, several schools in District 8 of LAUSD have made a concerted effort to improve outreach to fathers and male guardians by joining in the Million Father March at the beginning of the school year. Either on the first day of school or another designated day, schools ask that fathers or other male role models in the family accompany children to school.
Typically, school organizations celebrate the occasion by providing morning refreshments. They have fathers sign in at a specific room or location and they provide a program and/or handouts that share information about school programs and ways that fathers can participate effectively in their children’s educational lives. The idea is to emphasize to significant male family members how important their role is in educating young people.
Fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, step-fathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male care-givers and friends of the family can participate in the Million Father March. While this initiative is sponsored by African-American men, women and men of all ethnicities, cultures and faiths are encouraged to participate and promote the initiative.
It is clear that the male presence on school campuses as students, teachers and community supporters declined significantly over the 20th Century. The results of this decline can now be seen on college campuses and in graduate schools. The participation of women in all aspects of education is to be applauded and encouraged, but it is essential that educators send a strong message that the involvement and educational success of our male population is equally important.
Contact Dr. Juanita Coleman-Merritt to learn more. Also see The Black Star Project website at http://blackstarproject.org
