The new academic year is right around the corner—is your child prepared? If you answered "no," or you’re just not sure, take heart. We at Sylvan Learning Center can help your child get ready for the upcoming school year. Here’s what you need to know.

What is academic preparedness?

While the weighty sounding term "academic preparedness" may be intimidating to parents, it needn’t be. It simply refers to a child’s school readiness, explains Richard Bavaria Ph.D., vice president of Education at Sylvan Learning Center. With each new grade level, students confront increasingly challenging academic requirements. The importance of academic preparedness, however, remains the same from year to year—whether your child will enter first grade or high school in the fall.

What transition years count?

While each higher grade level brings with it new academic requirements, certain "transition" years require more preparation than others. Parents will want to pay special attention to these, as they signal important leaps to the next phase of learning. Significant transition years include:

• Kindergarten: While first grade used to be considered a child’s introduction to formal learning, in most areas of the country kindergarten has replaced first grade as the time when formal learning begins.
• First year of middle school: Teachers expect students to take on greater responsibility, such as working more independently and performing long-term assignments.
• First year of high school: Teachers task students with managing an even greater level of independence than in middle school. Assignments become more complex and typically require more critical thinking.

What role does the report card play in measuring academic preparedness?

"The report card offers a snapshot of how a child is doing at particular time," Dr. Bavaria says. But it should not be the only criterion parents use to judge their children’s overall academic preparedness, he explains. Nor should report card marks come as a surprise. "If you keep up regular conversations with your child about school, you can avoid disappointments and surprises when record card time comes," Dr. Bavaria says.

How can I boost my child’s academic preparedness?

Your child’s success in school depends largely on your support. Research by the U.S. Department of Education found that the most successful high school students are those whose parents demonstrate an interest and involvement in their education. But don’t wait until your child is in high school. The earlier you pay attention to academics, the greater your child’s chances of success. Here’s how.

• Get to know the teacher, via email or in-person.
• Get involved: attend school meetings, find out what the curriculum will cover, and communicate to the teacher areas in which your child excels and struggles.
• Support your child, but don’t push him, and don’t do the work for him.
• Make school a part of daily conversation with your child.
• Set a good example. "When kids see their parents reading for information and enjoyment, or doing math to pay bills or determine distances for a family vacation, they recognize that reading and math are a natural and valued part of daily life," Dr. Bavaria says.

Want to know more about academic preparedness and the impact it has on your child’s education? Look for more information in the coming months about an event for parents related to this topic — Academic Preparedness: Community Conversations about Education. You can obtain more information or pre-register for the event by visiting events.educate.com