Fast Facts
Families can make a significant difference in children’s learning
and academic success. The following are some important facts:
- Students spend approximately 90% of their time from birth to age
18 outside of school
- When families are involved in schools, reading test
scores are higher.
- If a family values education and encourages learning,
they can raise successful learners, regardless of their
income-level.
 Read
more:
Resources at the Anchorage School District
|
 Parent
Networks - are informal groups of
parents who communicate with each other on a regular
basis about kids' activities, rules, curfews, parties
and problems. |
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Parent Tips - Our Psychology Department
publishes a newsletter, Psych
Savvy, that focuses on a variety of
helpful subjects for parents and students. |
|
Parent
Conferences - Conferences offer an
opportunity for you to find out  how
your child is progressing in school and what you
can do at home to help. |
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How Parents Can Help
-
Ask questions daily. Ask what the child is learning and press for specifics. A child should know what he or
she is learning, such as addition of two digit numbers, long division or multiple representations of data in algebra
class. Ask the child if he or she is doing good work and help him or her self-assess the work. If a child can do
this, then he or she is becoming an independent learner and can see the relevance of the work. If children don’t
know how or when to use information, it will soon
be forgotten.
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Participate in the Parent-Teacher Association/Organization – join
your school’s PTA/PTO and support parents through activities like
book fairs, curriculum nights, and fundraising. Contact
your school for more information.
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Volunteer – Share your talent, time and treasure with ASD students
and staff. Serve as a mentor, become a tutor, assist
as a lunch buddy, provide your expertise in graphic design and cultural
arts. Call your
school to find out how you can contribute.
-
Visit the school regularly – Don’t wait for a special occasion!
Get to know your child’s teacher and principal. Come by for lunch
or visit the classroom. We want to get to know you. Quality
learning requires meaningful two-way communication. In the interest of student safety, please be prepared to sign in at the office and show identification upon request. If a staff member stops you to ask for identification, please be aware that this is a safety precaution and is not intended to offend you or discourage your visit. Thank you for helping us keep our schools safe for students and staff.
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Advocate for Your Child – You know your child better than anyone.
Help us to learn more about him or her. Make sure the
teacher, principal and staff know about any special needs your child
may have. Attend parent-teacher
conferences. Send a note to the teacher. Contact school
staff anytime you have a question or concern.
-
Create an Enriched Learning Environment at Home – Did you know
that the home is a classroom, too? Many learning opportunities happen
in the home and community, as well as at school. Offer different kinds
of reading material – magazines, newspapers or an encyclopedia,
if possible, as well as books. This enhances vocabulary
and develops critical thinking skills.
-
Have Family Fun! Spend a few minutes every day simply
being together and enjoying each other’s company. Listen to your
child. Let your child pick up an activity to do with
you, like a game or a walk or just talking. No one in the world can
offer your child what
you can. Remind your child that you belong to each other.
Links
 |
State of Alaska, Department of Education and Early Development, Parents & Students
Includes information about Assessment and Curriculum, Education Programs, Recognition
Programs and other resources |
 |
US Department of Education, Especially
for Parents
Includes a parent's guide to NCLB, homework tips for parents, helping your child
and more |
 |
National Parent Teacher Association, Parent
Involvement
Includes parent tips, helping your child succeed and a parent quiz |
 |
National Education Association, Parent
Involvement in Education
Includes parent guides to math, science and achievement, making parent-teacher
conferences work, and more |
 |
National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education (NCPIE)
Mission: to advocate the involvement of parents and families in their children's
education, and to foster relationships between home, school, and community
to enhance the education of all our nation's young people. |
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 |
 Working
together
When schools work together with families to support
children's learning, children tend to succeed in both
school and later life. Many people are surprised that
the most accurate predictor of a student’s achievement
is not income or social status; it is how involved the
student’s parents are in their children’s
education. Studies show that students have higher grades
and test scores, better attendance, more positive attitudes
and behavior, higher graduation rates, and greater enrollment
in post secondary education when schools work collaboratively
with families.
Schools aren't the only ones to reap the benefits of
parental involvement. Parents gain a first-hand understanding
of their child’s daily activities by spending time
at school and interacting with staff. Students need you
to take an interest in their education by asking about
school and demonstrating that you value learning. Keep
this in mind when notices about first quarter parent/teacher
conferences come home. Parents gain insight into the
trends and fads of school life that will help them communicate
with their child as they grow and change. We hope you
will all take the time to attend these important conferences.
The district is committed to student achievement for
all students, and recognizes the important connection
between parent involvement and student learning. Parents
are children’s first and most important teachers.
I look forward to working together with you to provide
all of our students with the best educational experience
possible.
Sincerely,
Carol Comeau, Superintendent
Ready to Read,
Ready to Learn
In September 2006 a task force evaluated how we as Alaskans prepare young children to read and learn and why it is important to society. |
Click here to read their
Report & Recommendations
 |
"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."
-Emilie Buckwald,
writer and publisher |
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is
a good place to start. Here are just a few highlights: