Pastor Claude Thomas, Child Education Blog

Author: Richard Jarman
There is little question that our public education system is in serious trouble. Declining test scores, high dropout rates, and school violence are just some of the problems that plague our schools. So far, nothing government agencies have done–including increased per-pupil funding and more rigorous testing–has made the situation better.

One might think that with all the problems facing their children, parents would be banding together to demand solutions. So far that hasn’t happened, as many parents seem resigned to the fact that their children’s education isn’t going to be everything it could be.

Why aren’t parents more involved? There are many possible reasons. Most parents have busy work schedules, which make it difficult to be active in their child’s school. Other parents would rather defer to school officials who are considered experts in education.

The truth is that all parents need to realize that they are responsible for their children’s education. Parents cannot depend on teachers and other school officials, no matter how well-educated or intentioned they may be. Parents need to take specific actions to make sure their children are receiving the best education available.

Here are 5 actions concerned parents can take to ensure their children get a solid education:

1. Meet with your child’s teacher early in the school year. Get to know the teacher as soon as possible. Find out about their philosophy and discipline. Ask them about what they expect from their students. Ask about ways that you can get involved in the class. Most teachers welcome the involvement of concerned parents.

2. Don’t be intimidated. Teachers and principals may have a lot of knowledge about education. But you are the world’s greatest expert on your child. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to (respectfully) disagree if something doesn’t seem right. Ultimately, parents must hold school officials accountable for the education they provide.

3. Intervene early. If you sense something is going wrong, don’t wait to address the situation. Remember, you are an advocate for your children. Most school officials welcome your involvement, as long as you treat them with civility.

4. View teachers and principals as partners, not adversaries. Most teachers are good people trying to help kids learn. Treat them right, and you will get a lot more done. But when you do run into an incompetent or uncaring teacher, don’t be afraid to take your concerns to the school principal, or even to officials in the school district.

5. Connect with other parents. Get to know other parents where your child goes to school, especially the ones who are also active in their kids’ education. We all need friends who have similar ideas and passions. Plus, when parents speak as a group, they are heard more clearly.

Teachers are not responsible for your child’s education. Neither are principals, school board members, state legislators or the president. Parents are. Take control of your kids’ learning, and your kids will get the benefit of a better education.

Author: Travis Klein
Beyond making sure they have the right materials, parents often find themselves stymied by what they can do to help their children excel in school. While it’s not likely every little one is the next Einstein, the truth is every child can reach for and achieve their personal best.

There are five ways parents can help child education succeed. They are:

Get involved. Parents who get involved in their youth’s child education plan early and stay that way throughout their school years give their youngsters a serious step up. Involvement in later years might be seen as “interference,” but the truth is it’s not and it’s generally welcomed even when they say it is not. Getting involved means knowing what is going on, showing a child he or she has support at home and that personal success in child education matters. The more a parent knows about a child education plan set out by the school and what they can do to help encourage success, the better.

Set an example. If child education and disciplined learning are important, show them that they are to you, as well. For example, children who have parents who read for “fun,” tend to read for fun themselves. Start out reading to them and progress to them reading to you or reading your own books quietly and separately, but in the same room. Practicing what you preach goes a long way with kids.

Set a routine. Child education success often centers on how serious parents are about making their youth’s lessons a priority. Create a place for them to do homework and a time to do it. Whether it’s the kitchen table in the evening as you make dinner or a desk in their bedroom, give them their own space, set the time and make it routine. Try to give them some quiet time, too. Turn off the TV, remove the distractions and stick to the priority.

Help them! A child who is struggling in school needs help. If you cannot help, inquire about tutors at school. Do everything you can to remove the roadblocks without doing the work yourself. When success in child education is jeopardized by frustration, working through it together can give them the confidence and the problem-solving skills to tackle even bigger issues down the road than geometry might throw at them today.

Stress the importance of school. When child education is on the line, making sure they are clear about how serious you are that they try their best is important. Stressing importance goes beyond saying it. Parents who get involved, stay involved and seek out help when their children need it, set the example that school is a No. 1 priority. If parents don’t put their best foot forward as far as child education is concerned, their children aren’t as likely to either.

Helping ensuring child education success falls on the parents as much as it does the child. Schools and teachers can only do so much. When a child has the discipline, love and support needed to excel at their personal best level, they very likely will.