Students thrive when parents are involved in their education
The national education policy of "Leave No Child Behind" is a nice gesture and philosophy, but it will not be successful unless we can figure out a way to get more parental involvement. More than anything else, the answer to what ails our public schools is more in-depth parental involvement.
This is based on my experience and insight as a parent, teacher, counselor, probation officer and youth advocate. Over the past three decades, I have worked with thousands and thousands of youth in the social services, public schools, detention centers, juvenile courts and public housing.
Foremost, as parents and guardians, we must never forget that the family is the original and best department of health, education, welfare and salvation for our youth. We must believe in and live by 10 little, but powerful, words: "If it is to be, it is up to me!" Other than the home and community, school is the place where our efforts and participation can do the most good for our children. In that regard, we need to become highly active and visible in our children's education. Teachers need all the help that they can get in educating, and too often raising, our children. Let us together make a difference!
As parents we can join and participate in our children's Parent Teacher Association. We can attend programs, classes and activities sponsored by agencies and organizations that support our children. Further, we can make a habit of reading books, magazines and articles on child-rearing and adolescent issues. The public libraries and local bookstores are good places to begin looking for these materials, along with other related audio and visual aids.
We need to understand that parental involvement is the foundation and grass-roots answer to most of what ails our so-called public education crisis. This lack of parental involvement is a symptom of what's wrong. Underneath there are other individual/familial causes. We must be honest and courageous enough to address
This is based on my experience and insight as a parent, teacher, counselor, probation officer and youth advocate. Over the past three decades, I have worked with thousands and thousands of youth in the social services, public schools, detention centers, juvenile courts and public housing.
Foremost, as parents and guardians, we must never forget that the family is the original and best department of health, education, welfare and salvation for our youth. We must believe in and live by 10 little, but powerful, words: "If it is to be, it is up to me!" Other than the home and community, school is the place where our efforts and participation can do the most good for our children. In that regard, we need to become highly active and visible in our children's education. Teachers need all the help that they can get in educating, and too often raising, our children. Let us together make a difference!
As parents we can join and participate in our children's Parent Teacher Association. We can attend programs, classes and activities sponsored by agencies and organizations that support our children. Further, we can make a habit of reading books, magazines and articles on child-rearing and adolescent issues. The public libraries and local bookstores are good places to begin looking for these materials, along with other related audio and visual aids.
We need to understand that parental involvement is the foundation and grass-roots answer to most of what ails our so-called public education crisis. This lack of parental involvement is a symptom of what's wrong. Underneath there are other individual/familial causes. We must be honest and courageous enough to address
