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Family Involvement Key to Student Success
Extensive research has shown that students achieve more in school when their families are involved in their education.
Role of Family Involvement in EducationThe critical role of family involvement in a child's education has been examined in countless studies and reports. The research overwhelmingly supports the following conclusions.#1 - Family involvement enhances academic performance. Academic achievement increases when families are involved in their children's education. The more intensively involved the families are, the greater the positive impact on academic achievement.#2 - Family involvement leads to better classroom behavior. Family involvement not only enhances academic performance, but it also has a positive influence on student attitude and behavior. A family's interest and encouragement in a child's education can affect the child's attitude toward school, classroom conduct, self-esteem, absenteeism, and motivation.#3 - Families should stay involved in their children's education from preschool through high school. Family involvement can make a positive difference at all age levels. Family involvement tends to be the greatest with young children and tends to taper off as children get older. Studies have shown, however, that involvement of famlies of middle and high school students is equally important. A child may consider going to college more seriously when famlies show interest in the child's academic achievements and talk with the child about the benefits of a college education.#4 - Reading together at home greatly improves reading skills. Reading in particular improves greatly when families and children read together at home. Reading aloud with a child contributes significantly to the child's reading abilities.Tips for Being an Involved Pirate FamilyThe following are some suggestions for mfamily members who wish to get involved, or become more involved, with their children's education. It is important to remember that doing even one thing on the list can make a difference in your child's academic progress.● Read with your children and talk with them about the books and stories you read● Help your children work on homework assignments● Organize and monitor a child's time● Tutor a child with materials and instructions provided by teachers (or found on the internet)● Attend and actively support school activities● Volunteer in classrooms, on fieldtrips, or for special events● Continue to be involved as your child is in middle and high school● Attend family conferences● Talk with your child about school on a daily basis● Be an advocate for your child to make sure that the child's needs are being met● If a problem arises, address it quickly by requesting a meeting with the teacher● Advise the teacher of any issues at home that may affect the child's school performance● Vote in school board elections● Encourage your child on successes and support them on poor performances● Participate in the PTO or Family Volunteer days● Consider involving grandparents, who may be retired and have more time, in their grandchildren's education