Involvement
Matters: What To Tell Parents
Hundreds of research
studies show that when parents get involved, children do better in school. We
sum up the details that every parent should know—and you should tell them.
Building parent involvement is the single most
important thing that parent groups do. Often, it's the most difficult, too. And
that's too bad because there are many compelling reasons why parents—all
parents—should get involved in their children's education.
What Every Parent
Should Know
Researchers have been studying the effects
parent attitudes and actions have on their children's academic success for more
than 30 years. The results have been consistent. Anne Henderson and Nancy Berla
summed it up in their book A New Generation of
Evidence: The Family Is Critical to Student Achievement, which reviewed the existing research:
"When parents are involved in their children's education at home, they do
better in school. And when parents are involved in school, children go farther
in school and the schools they go to are better."
Major Benefits
Research shows that when parents are involved
in their children's education, the children are more likely to:
·
earn better grades.
·
score higher on tests.
·
pass their classes.
·
attend school
regularly.
·
have better social
skills.
·
show improved
behavior.
·
be more positive in
their attitude toward school.
·
complete homework
assignments.
·
graduate and continue
their education.
