August 2016
Powerful Parents!
Engaging Families in the New School Year
WHY? Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher, and parents can be a valuable partner in their child’s education. The earlier in a child’s educational process the parents get involved, the more powerful the effects. The National Coalition for Parent Involvement for Education reports that when schools and families work together everyone benefits.
- Students have higher grades, graduation rates, and attendance
- Decreased use of drugs and alcohol, lower rates of suspension, and fewer instances of violent behavior.
- Parents feel empowered.
- Teacher morale is more positive.
- Schools improve.
- Communities grow stronger.
A study by the Michigan Department of Education reported that participation in their child’s education was twice as predictive of students’ academic success as family socioeconomic status.
In Amanda Ripley’s book THE SMARTEST KIDS IN THE WORLD, she found that what parents did at home mattered significantly. Reading to children and talking about school was very important. Parents showed their children they valued education by asking about school, what they learned, what they liked, etc.
It takes a village to raise a child. A “village” of parents, grandparents, teachers, relatives, friends, community leaders, neighbors, bus drivers, physicians, and a myriad of others who add to the tapestry of their lives. We can’t do it alone, but if we hold hands and stick together like we tell the children to do, then we can create happy memories that will give children the roots and wings to live a good life and create bright future.
This month you will find a resource guide with pathways and activities to engage families in their child’s education. The best thing families can give young children is time and attention, and YOU can be the catalyst for quality time and learning opportunities with these ideas.