Students benefit from parent involvement

Research confirms that when parents are partners in their children’s education the results are increased motivation, higher self-esteem, improved achievement, better attendance, reduced dropout rates and decreased delinquency.

Parents play a dominant role in influencing a child’s confidence and motivation to become a successful learner. When students see that education is important to the adults in their lives, it becomes important to them as well. The reward for becoming more involved in your child’s education is a more successful, safe and self-confident student.

Parent involvement can cover a myriad of commitments from parents and extended family members. It is important for children to come to school emotionally, physically, and socially healthy.

Here are some simple but important things you can do to get involved:

• Make sure that your actions set good examples for your children. Serve as a role model for your children by stressing the life-long importance of obtaining a quality education.
• Keep in touch with your child’s school. Call, e-mail and/or visit your child’s teacher.
• Make sure your child gets to school on time and is well fed and rested.
• Try to limit absences and appointments during the school day as it’s harder for your child to learn if he or she is not present for the lessons.
• Take time to review your child’s homework. Encourage your child’s efforts, be available for questions and spend time discussing what he or she has learned.
• Offer praise and encouragement and motivate them to work hard. Create a warm and supportive home atmosphere while also setting and enforcing standards for school work.
• Read a book together. Studies show that when parents read to their children or listen to them read on a regular basis, achievement improves.
• Communicate with your kids. Talk to your teenager and know who your teen’s friends are and know where they are. Support your teens in their school and extra-curricular activities.
• Create a Parent Network — a list of names and phone numbers of parents of your child’s friends. Communicate often about your kids’ activities, rules, curfews and problems.

We all want our children to succeed, but they need assistance and guidance to achieve that success. Parents and families can make a big difference in the education of young people! There are many parent advisory and advocacy groups that work closely with the Anchorage School District. Please contact your child’s school or any of the organizations listed below to become involved.