Involved parents increase chances for student success
All parents want their children to succeed in school. Research reveals that children whose parents are involved in their kids' education are more likely to succeed. But for many parents, it is hard to know how or when to start.
Today's parents work long hours, extra jobs and must handle a host of other responsibilities. Resources such as Parent Information Resource Centers (PIRCs) offer assistance in many states. Many community centers also provide help. By all means, do not overlook your child's school, which can provide a wealth of information.
Education starts at home. Kids spend most of their waking hours outside of school. Rose Jackson-Beavers, an author and director of parent services for the Parent Engagement and Empowerment Center in St. Louis, believes that even busy parents can take an active role in their child's education. According to Jackson-Beavers, the benefits of ongoing parent involvement are substantial.
"A parent's opportunity to get involved in their child's education doesn't end the moment that child walks into the classroom," said Jackson-Beavers. "Studies show that children with involved parents have more positive learning experiences. This translates into better academic performance, higher grades and test scores. I know our parents can make this happen with a little help."
Here are tips on how busy parents can work smart:
- Stay on top of homework.
- Attend open house or back-to-school night at your child's school. It's the perfect time to meet your child's teacher. If you have to work, schedule a meeting with the teacher at another time.
- Go to parent-teacher conferences.
- Each day, ask your children what they are learning at school. Discuss it with them or have them explain it.
- Set high expectations for your children. Encourage them to do their best.
- Get involved in your school's parent-teacher organization, and find out other ways you can support your child's school.
St. Louis parents offer their own advice on best practices. Kimberly Brandon is the mother of a middle school student. She also taught elementary school for 22 years in a suburban school district. Family friends notice that Brandon and her daughter, Margaret, always work together as a team. They even tackle homework at the hair salon!
"I learned right away to be the best teacher you could be for your child at home," said Brandon. "Don't ever stop working with your child. Anytime my daughter has homework, I am involved in it." Brandon emphasizes that the effort comes with rewards. Margaret now carries a 4.0 grade point average.
Another St. Louis mom, Leslie Smith, encourages parents to establish ongoing communication with their children. Kids will talk to me before they will talk to their mom or dad," Smith stated. "They are afraid to talk to their parents." Smith says it is important that parents listen to their kids.
Debbie Crump has the experience of being a mother, a grandmother, and a foster mom. She says that when she was raising her own children, her job made it difficult for her to be active in school.
Nevertheless, Crump emphasizes, "You definitely need to develop a relationship with the teacher. Let the teacher know that you really care about your child's education."
Crump, who is proud of her adult kids, now raises two foster children.
Bottom line: When parents are involved in their children's education, kids do better in school.
Additional Resources:
http://www.pirc-info.net/index.asp
http://www.ed.gov
http://www.pta.org
http://www.nea.org/parents/index.html
http://www.ncpie.org
http://www.parentsasteachers.org
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Comments: 9
Kids who don't make it do NOT come from parents who are failures. They come from parents who loved them and tried to do the best they could.
Hopefully, parents will keep being as involved as they can for the kids' sake.....
The good news is that such children can begin again. Their lives aren't over.
In my child's case, I spent a lot of time trying to help him rebuild his confidence because he realized, after he dropped out, that he had made a mistake. My oldest later fussed at his younger brother if little brother started bringing home less than stellar report cards!
You are right, Laurie. At some point, kids take on their own identities and make their own decisions. In my son's case, he had a very bad high school experience, not with learning itself but with a few educators and students at his school. I advocated for my child as much as I could. But sometimes life throws us some curves. The important thing to remember is to not give up.
"Show that you care." I like that!
One of these three got her GED and is now looking at colleges.
I understand parental involvement is key to a good education, and rest assured, this was not for nothing. My son and daughters are wonderful people who have a lust for living. There are other educations besides formal, and the parenting I bestowed upon them has shown to be of paramount value.
Whether kids go to college or not depends on that young person's career goals and other factors. In general - and I do stress "in general" - I think it's good for most students to complete high school. Completing high school (or getting a GED) teaches young people the importance of completing any project or task. Also, research shows that high school graduates (or those who complete their GED) earn more in their lifetime than people who did not complete high school.
Thanks so much for giving us another take on this topic.
One of my friends is a special education teacher who strongly advocates for her students and their parents, and she sometimes gets into hot water with her bosses about this. She is one of those teachers who really wants to do what's best in the interest of her students. This teacher is also the parent of a special needs child.
I have a close friend who has had more than her fair share of frustrations, especially with the shuffling from one school to the next. She's also expressed concern with special education teachers who seem to be overwhelmed.
Where I live, there is a special school district that serves all of the school districts in my county. I learned from my friend (and others) that the "home" school districts are not always cooperative with the special ed teachers. I think this is sad. The students, teachers and parents lose in these situations.
When the No Child Left Behind Act was signed by President Bush in 2002, the goal was to ensure that all students were proficient by 2014. This included special needs students, who are tested with everyone else. The results show up on Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) reports.
Not surprisingly, educators screamed foul. It does seem a bit much to expect all special needs students to be proficient. By all means, we should set learning goals and expectations for such students. But we all know that some special education students will never reach the same level of proficiency in reading and math as their mainstream peers. The U. S. Department of Education finally listened and has relaxed some of the AYP guidelines for special needs children.
I think your comments make a strong case for education reform - reform that actually works! You have done a marvelous job of articulating the issues. Thanks so much for your kind words and for stopping by.