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From the Chalkboard: Student, teacher and parent responsibilities
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Anonymous user Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:07:12 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments This is the first of a three-part series dealing with the educational team consisting of student, teacher and parent.
The most effective schools understand that school success is due not only to the work of a teacher. Schools where students, teachers and parents work together are usually schools that are most successful in developing good students. Schools rightfully expect parents to help them to do their best. In today’s busy world where both parents work outside the home it is critical that parents ensure that a supportive atmosphere for learning exists at home.
Far too often parents focus their child’s discretionary time and energy on activities unrelated to school. The wise parent will take the necessary time to make sure that their child’s educational needs receive top priority before extracurricular activities. Recent studies continue to indicate that children of parents who are actively engaged in their students schooling do better academically. This means that time spent helping your student, supporting the teacher, and demonstrating the importance of education will pay big dividends.
Here are 10 ways you can help your student be successful.
1. Be sure your children leave home prepared for the day’s learning. The day will get off to a good start if they have a good breakfast, are properly rested (eight to 10 hours of sleep), and have their backpacks prepared the evening before.
2. Schedule time for homework. Determine the most effective study area — quiet, well-lit, spacious, and free of distractions.
3. Monitor your child’s work. Don’t do it for him or her, but answer directional questions for particularly difficult problems.  And don’t wait for report cards to check up on how things are going in class. Communicate with teachers. Let them know you are interested.
4.  Attend school functions. Your attendance and interest in school activities shows that you view the school as important. In a 10-year study Laurence Steinbe found that parents who regularly attended school functions were much more likely to have achieving students.
5. Never make disparaging remarks about your child’s school or teacher in their presence. When there is a problem at school be proactive. Contact the teacher to see how you can help to resolve any problem. Teachers tend to give more attention to a student whose parents take an interest in their child’s schoolwork.
6.  Volunteer at school. Helping out at school as well as assisting in a variety of ways puts you in direct touch with what is going on and how your child is doing.  Again, this sends a message to your child that school is important.
7. Realize that your child’s school is not a perfect environment with perfect people. Unfortunately, educators these days have many things to deal with beyond academics. Teaching is a very demanding profession. Be realistic in your expectations.
8. Model the value of learning, self-discipline and hard work.  Children are great imitators, and usually follow example rather than lecture. Parents who are lifelong learners and achievers should have high yet realistic expectations for achievement. Set goals and standards that are age appropriate.
9. Monitor out-of-school activities. Many children today are far too busy with out-of-school activities. While music lessons, sports, dance, and a variety of other diversions may be worthwhile activities, students need adequate time for homework, meals, rest and downtime. Be careful not to over commit your children.
10. Show appreciation for teachers and other school personnel. Teaching is a difficult and demanding profession. Nothing is more appreciated by a teacher than a thankful and supportive parent.
Admittedly, these principles that may be difficult to realize, given our hectic schedules, but for the sake of our students educational success they are important principles to strive for.

Next issue:  The effective teacher.

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