Back to School: Communication is a Key to Success

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When parents get their children ready to go back to school, they spend a lot of time buying the right supplies in hopes that their child will be prepared for the first day. However, one of the best ways to ensure a child's success is by establishing open lines of communication among parents, teachers, and students.

Dr. Richard E. Bavaria, an education expert and VP of Education for Sylvan Learning Center, has prepared the following helpful suggestions to help open the lines of communication for the new school year.

Back to School Communication Tips

1. Place a notebook in your child's book bag. Use this as a communication vehicle between you and your child's teacher.
2. Contact your child's teacher during the first two weeks of school to determine the homework policy, best communication methods -- let them know the best way to reach you, expectations and opportunities regarding parental involvement in classroom activities, and recommendations for learning activities at home.
3. Generate a list of questions to ask your child's teacher at the first parent/teacher conference. Include questions regarding what your child should be learning, what are his/her best subjects, what do their test scores indicate about their learning, and whether he/she is completing assignments regularly.
4. Ask your child how she thinks she is doing in school. If possible, suggest a three-way conference with you, your child and the teacher.
5. Find out how your child's school accommodates differences in learning styles; what types of programs are available if extra help is required.

According to Dr. Bavaria, "An open flow of information among parents, teachers, and students increases the likelihood that students will take their education more seriously and that early gaps in a child's learning will be identified."

Sylvan Learning Center is the leading provider of supplemental education services, providing personalized instruction to students of all ages and skill levels. For more information, parents can visit http://www.educate.com.

CONTACT: Sylvan Learning Center

Date: Aug. 24,2001