Adventures in Parenting

What is the #1 factor that determines student success at school? Is it the teacher-student ratio? Is it dollars spent per student? Is it outside tutoring?

As summer draws to a close, we are gearing up for school. I just bought a new backpack for the daughter.  But what she needs from me is more than a backpack, or new shoes. She needs…me.

The #1 factor for school success is parent involvement. I don’t mean joining the PTA or spending lots of time volunteering at school. It would be nice if you could. But there are more fundamental things that parents can do to be involved in their child’s education.

1. Daily attendance and punctuality. Since I’ve been on the other side as a substitute teacher, I realize the importance of being at school, and being there on time. When students lose a day of school, they miss a lot. There is not only work to catch up, there is lost of continuity. A student who is late is always a little disoriented and it takes a while for them to get into the groove. Parents can help their children take school seriously by making sure they wake up early, have a good breakfast, and don’t schedule dental appointments and vacations during school hours.

2. Make sure homework is done and turned in on time. I am always amazed when I collect homework how many students do not have it done. I’m talking about just a one-page worksheet or simply copying their spelling words. I ask them, “Why didn’t you do your homework? What do you do after school?” Watch TV, take a nap, soccer practice…

I don’t think we can expect our children to be naturally disciplined. Really, who wants to do homework?? It’s our job as parents to make sure they do it.

3. Respond to teacher and school contacts. A teacher friend of mine told me of a student in her class who was not able to keep up with the work and  likely to be held back.

“What did his parents say?” I asked.

“I made appointments to talk to the parents so they can help him at home, but they’ve missed our appointment twice! I had to wait for them after school.” she replied.

How discouraging is that to the teacher! If the parents don’t care enough about their child’s success to even show up, how can they expect their child or anyone else to care?

4. Attend school activities open to parents such as Back to School Night, Open House, Parent-Teacher conferences. These only happen 3-4 times a year. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for parents to put aside any other obligations to attend a few school activities. Even if they work, they can plan well ahead to miss at most 2 hours for Open House Night. It would mean so much to the children.

5. Let your child know of your commitment to his success. Sit with him while he’s doing his homework. Read the books that he reads for school so you can talk about it together. Ask his teacher for progress reports. Buy him appropriate school supplies. Make sure he knows you are expecting his best effort at school.

I only have a few more days to sleep in before school starts! I hope you will have a great school year.