DO YOU KNOW THE INS AND OUTS OF YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION?


PTA meetings, field trips, parent-teacher conferences—is it worth it to be so involved in your child’s education? Yes! According to a study by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory’s National Center for Family & Community Connections with Schools, the positive effects are endless.

Students with involved parents, regardless of income or background, are more likely to earn higher grades and test scores, enroll in higher-level programs, attend school regularly, develop better social skills, adapt well to school, and graduate and attend postsecondary education.

So, are you an active participant in your child’s education? Are you aware of the basic facts every parent should know? Answer these questions to test your involvement.
  1. You know the grading scale used at your child’s school.
    True/False


  2. You can name every teacher your child has had in school up until now.
    True/False


  3. You have discussed your child’s performance with his current teacher(s).
    True/False


  4. You know what activities are planned at your child’s school.
    True/False


  5. You attend PTA meetings or another parent organization at your child’s school.
    True/False


  6. You can name every grade your child received on his last report card.
    True/False
If you answered mostly true, congratulations, you are highly involved in your child’s academic success. If you answered false to some of the statements, here’s a few tips to help you be more active in your child’s education.

Start by getting to know your child’s teacher better. Whether at an open house or during a visit to your child’s classroom, make a point of introducing yourself. Ask the teacher if there are certain times that you can discuss your child’s progress. Also, inform the teacher of any kind of change in your family life that might have an impact on your child’s school performance. In addition, attend as many school functions as you can. Offer to help out on a regular basis—letting teachers know that you care about your child’s education and opening the lines of communication. Offer to assist teachers with class once a week, volunteer to talk to the class on a particular topic, help with field trips or donate supplies for special events or projects. Whenever you attend any event, be sure to ask plenty of questions and pick up any written materials that are available.

Lastly, keep up with your child’s progress in school. Make sure that you see midterm and semester report cards. If your child’s grades are low, work with the teacher to help them improve.


By Kara Murphy