Getting Involved in Your Child’s Education

With the beginning of a new school year it is a time in which students’ expectations and enthusiasm runs high.  It would be my wish that this would continue all school year for all children.  I believe one way to cultivate and maintain this enthusiasm is for parents and guardians to become actively involved in their child’s education. 

As a parent, a question that you may ask is, what is parental involvement exactly?  Parental involvement in your child’s education can be done in a number of ways and in a variety of capacities.  This could mean:

• Reading to your child
• Checking homework every night
• Discussing your child’s progress with teachers
• Viewing Power School for your child’s grades and homework
• Voting in school board elections
• Helping our school set high academic standards
• Limiting on-line social media and communication on school nights
• Being involved in one of our booster clubs
• Volunteering in our school

It could also be as simple as asking your child, “How was school today?”  What is important to remember is that this needs to be asked every day.  If this is done, your child will eventually understand the message coming from you. The message that you will be sending, loud and clear, is that their education is important and you expect them to do well.  If your child is like my daughters were, when you ask this question you may get the standard, “fine.” But this is your chance to dig a little deeper.  Ask your child what they accomplished or did in each of their classes.  Even if their first response is a “I dun-no”, don’t stop there, gently press on and they will eventually give you some tidbits that you can expand on.  This will give you some insight into their day and send the message you care.

            Some parents can be involved in their child’s education in a number of ways.  Other families do not have as many opportunities, but in this fast paced and constantly changing world, it is important to remember, that whatever your involvement, consistently stick with it because it will make a difference.

Why is Parental Involvement Important?

            In study after research study, it has been found that parental and guardian involvement with their child’s education will have a positive impact.  The National Education Association (NEA) has listed a few of the major research findings.  These are:

• When parents are involved in their children’s education at home, they do better in school.  And when parents are involved in school, children go farther in school, and the schools they go to are better.
• The family makes critical contributions to student achievement from preschool through high school.  A home environment that encourages learning is more important to student achievement than income, education level, or cultural background.
• Reading achievement is more dependent on learning activities in the home than is math or science.  Reading aloud to children is the most important activity that parents can do to increase their child’s chance of reading success.  Talking to children about books and stories read to them also supports reading achievement.
• When children, at any age, and their parents/guardians talk regularly about school, children perform better academically.
•  Three kinds of parental involvement at home are consistently associated with higher student achievement: actively organizing and monitoring a child’s time, helping with homework, and discussing school matters.
• The earlier that parent involvement begins with the child educational process, the more powerful the effects.
• Positive results of parental involvement include improved student achievement, reduced absenteeism, improved behavior, and restored confidence among parents in their children’s schooling.

What Does This Tell Us?

            Years of research and common sense tell us that if you are involved in your child’s education your child’s chance for academic success increases dramatically.  It is apparent to me that our school district works tremendously hard for all of our children.  But in order to reach the next level and meet the demands of our rapidly changing global society, your involvement in your child’s education, at any level, is critical.  I would highly encourage you to do anything you can to show your child that you care.