Column: Parent involvement is critical to your child’s success

Published 12:00 am Monday, September 13, 2004

By Jolinda Schreiber, District 241 board member

What an exciting and busy time of year this is for parents, educators and for children. The start of a new school year is always full of challenges and a time for a fresh start. As we send our children off to school &045; for the first time, or for the 13th time &045; we need to remind ourselves how important our job as parents really is and how important our role is in contributing to our children’s academic success in the classroom and to the success of our schools.

Research has shown that while economic, ethnic, or the cultural background of the family do impact student success, parent involvement in a child’s education is clearly the most important factor in determining their success in school.

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In fact, evidence shows that children will have higher success in school when parents are able to:

1) Create a home environment that encourages learning. So crucial to all learners is the parent and school partnership.

Read aloud to your child. Model your own interest in learning by reading or continued learning as a parent as well.

The

love of learning

is a key factor accounting for

academic success.

Support learning by talking daily about schoolwork and activities. Ask what subject was the best that day or which topic was the hardest. Communicate. Monitor homework and class projects daily. Encourage attendance and let your child know how important you think daily attendance is.

Develop a routine for studying and homework.

Choose a specific time and place

each day to complete homework.

(Surprisingly, providing a place to study

was one

of the top three characteristics significantly related to student achievement!)

Communicate with your child’s teachers often (not just at conferences). Make calls or drop her/him a note. Keep informed of class and school activities. Read school newsletters, calendars or fliers sent home. If you have Internet check out the school’s Web site.

2) Express high (but not unrealistic) expectations for your child’s achievement and future careers.

Encourage your child to try to do his/her best on tests, papers and projects. According to teachers if your child is struggling in a particular subject, avoid telling your child &045;

&uot;I didn’t do well in math either.&uot; It gives them &uot;permission&uot; to fail.

Challenge them by saying, &uot;This is a difficult problem, but if we roll up our sleeves I know we can solve it.&uot;

(If a parent isn’t able to help the child with a subject, go to the teacher &045; but don’t give your child an excuse to do poorly!) Setting high standards and expectations greatly improves student achievement. Recognize and encourage special talents.

3) Become involved in the school and community.

Recent research has shown that, particularly for high school students, the type of parent involvement that has the most impact on student performance requires direct participation in school activities. Parent involvement that draw parents into the schools, physically is the most effective in improving academic achievement.

Examples are: Attending school programs, extracurricular activities, conferences and open house programs.

Research concludes, &uot;When parents come to school regularly, it reinforces the view in the child’s mind that school and home are connected and that school is an integral part of the whole family’s life.&uot;

Volunteer your time at school. Your extra set of hands in the classroom or helping at a school event gives parents a direct connection with the school.

Parents often ask, &uot;Can I really make a difference in academic achievement?&uot; The answer is a resounding yes.

(Jolinda Schreiber is a member of the Albert Lea District School Board.)