How Can I Be Involved in My Child's Education?

Part 1

By Lynn Liontos

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Research studies consistently reveal that high student achievement and self-esteem are closely related to positive parental participation in education. Parents and schools need to work together so all children can succeed in school.

Almost everyone agrees that parents are, after all, their children's first and most important teachers. You, as a parent, have important knowledge about your child's likes, dislikes, needs, and problems that the school may not be aware of. You may also have ideas for improving your child's school. But even though studies show that most parents want to be involved in their children's education, they may not be exactly sure how to go about it, especially if, like most parents, they work during the school day.

Parents often ask the following questions:

What Can I Do To Involve Myself With My Child's School

Some schools value parent involvement by providing numerous opportunities for parents to interact with each other, with teachers, and with students. Your child's school can provide ideas on how to participate. One important way you can become involved in your child's schooling is to exercise any choices available in the selection of course work, programs, or even schools. Many schools are moving toward "school-based management," in which administrators share the responsibility for operating schools with teachers, students, parents, and community members. You can become involved in committees that govern your child's school or join the local parent-teacher association.

The National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education (NCPIE) says that schools should regularly communicate with parents about their child's progress and the educational objectives of the school. This communication should also include non- custodial parents, stepparents, and any other adults, such as grandparents, who are responsible for the child. If you aren't receiving such information, ask for it. Work with other parents and guardians to be sure that the school understands how best to keep you informed.

Some schools send newsletters and calendars home regularly, alerting parents to school functions and ways they can participate. Encourage your school to provide volunteer opportunities for working parents and to schedule some school events outside of the school day to increase participation.

Here are other ideas:

• Visit your child's classroom; a visit will give you an idea of what your child does at school and how he or she interacts with other children.

• Volunteer to help in the classroom as an assistant (listening to children read, for example, or serving as an aide during computer work).

• Support student events and performances by helping with them (such as sewing costumes or painting scenery for a school play) and by attending them.

• If your school has a Parents' Room/Lounge or Parent Center, drop in to meet other parents and teachers there, or to pick up information and materials.

• Participate in workshops that are offered, such as those on child development or concerns that parents have (or help plan such workshops).

• Take advantage of parent-teacher contracts (perhaps agreeing to read with your child for a certain amount of time each night).

• Ask your child's teacher if he or she has materials that you can use to help your child at home and to supplement homework.

• Be part of decision-making committees about school issues and problems, such as a Parent Advisory Committee.

How Can I Help My Child With Homework?

Most teachers assign homework on a regular basis because practice is needed before children fully understand new skills or concepts. Homework also increases the amount of learning time available and allows students to do more in-depth learning.

Here are some general guidelines for helping with homework:

• Reward progress; use lots of praise; display good work.

• Find out how much and what type of homework is assigned in each class, how students are expected to prepare it and turn it in, and what students can do when they don't understand something; help your child manage the workload by dividing it into small doses.

• Help your child develop a homework schedule that he or she can stick to.

• Talk to your child each day about homework assignments; go over work; see if it's complete; ask questions about it. But don't do your child's homework yourself.

• Provide a suitable place for study (if possible, make it quiet and away from the distractions of TV, phone, and loud music).

• Avoid making homework a punishment.

How Can I Make Our Home a Good Place for My Child To Learn?

• Have high expectations for your child's learning and behavior, both at home and at school.

• Praise and encourage your child.

• Emphasize effort and achievement, and be a role model for getting work done before play.

• Establish rules and routines in the home.

• Monitor television viewing.

• Limit after-school jobs and activities.

• Encourage your child to share information about school and respond with empathy.

• If you don't do anything else, read to your young child or have him or her read to you every night. Encourage older children to read by reading yourself and by having interesting and appropriate materials available.