Parents as Partners

There are many ways parents can help support and supplement the educational activities that go on in school. Children need to have reinforcement at home to demonstrate that learning activities are meaningful.

Set An Example:

Share your own writing with children…personal, business or consumer letters you write.



Discuss any kind of writing you do on your job: memos, purchase orders, reports, etc. Children need to be convinced that writing has applications.

Support Reading:

Read to your pre-school child. Talk and ask questions about the books you read.



Provide children of all ages with appropriate reading matter. Take them to the library often. Let your child see you reading.

Homework:

How can you help your child with homework? Should you ever do the homework? Here are a few suggestions which can make homework go smoother in your home.

Make sure that your child has a good place to study. It should offer plenty of room to spread out materials, the right kind of lighting, and a comfortable chair.



When your child is doing homework, make sure the entire family gives that activity as much respect as possible, so the student is not disturbed unnecessarily.



Review spelling words with your child, perhaps once before bed and again in the morning. The same goes for other types of memory work such as multiplication tables, math drills, state capitols and so on.



When your child is writing a school report, show that information from several sources is better than just relying on one book. Help your child get acquainted with the wide range of available sources.

Television Viewing:

Television can be a great learning tool, but if it is not used properly, television can slow the learning process that takes place in the classroom. Of course, not all viewing can be monitored, but if you set some ground rules and stick by them, you can do a lot to improve your child's ability to learn.

Set a limit on hours. By setting a prescribed number of hours, your child will be more selective about the shows he or she watches.



Make sure homework is done before the tube goes on. Take an interest in your child's homework and see that all written and reading assignments are done.



When your young child sees something on television that may be disturbing, help them to understand it by explaining the difference between examples of acceptable behavior and unacceptable behavior.

Discipline:

While people complain that lack of discipline in the schools is the source of declining morality and respect for the law, discipline begins at home. It's important that you understand the rules of the school and back up teachers and administrators.

Respect for authority begins at home. Your ability to convey the importance of obedience to a teacher is proportionate to the obedience you demand as a parent.



Know and understand the rules of your child's school, and back them up. If you have a problem with a particular rule or incident involving the rules, talk to the teacher involved. If that doesn't work out to your satisfaction, arrange a meeting between you, the teacher involved and the principal. In any situation at school, take it up with the people involved rather than talking behind a person's back.



Try to cooperate with teachers and administrators in situations where discipline is a problem. Talk to your child about the problems they are having. Help them work through their feelings about school, their teacher or anything else they perceive to be an obstacle.

How can I help my Child do well on tests?

Talk to your child's teacher often to monitor your child's progress and find out what activities you can do at home to help your child do well in school.



Ask when tests will be administered throughout the school year, and learn which subject areas will be covered in class, the kinds of preparation sessions being planned, etc.



Ask about how homework assignments relate to testing.



Have a variety of books and magazines at home to encourage your child's curiosity. Help your child understand more than just preparing for a test.



Don't be overly anxious about test scores, but encourage your child on the basis of a single test score.



Don't be afraid to ask questions about tests and test-preparation activities.

What should I ask about test scores?
School districts and state departments of education should provide information to help parents interpret test scores. To help see beyond a simple score, ask:

Will I receive a report that includes more than just a numerical score? For example, will I receive information outlining strengths and weaknesses on specific skills so I can help my child with homework and other studies?



Are the standardized test results consistent with my child's performance in the classroom?



How does the performance of students in my child's school compare with the performance of students in other schools and school systems?



Can a student earn good grades and still do poorly on a standardized test?



What appeals processes are in place for parent and students who feel their test scores do not accurately reflect their mastery of skills?



Will poor test results produce more resources for students and schools who need extra help?