Things To Consider Today

Help Your Child Utilize School To Get A Good Education

Education is a broad topic and cannot be covered in one article. I will raise several points and hopefully this will stimulate you to do the rest. You can come up with your own thoughts about it, especially things that are unique to your child(ren) and his situation.

It is not enough to merely send your child to school and assume over the years that he’s getting a good education. In too many cases this is simply not true. This may be due to what is going on at school or to the effort your child is putting into his education. Either way, direct parental involvement will help ensure that your child will get a better education while growing up.

The first thing to consider is educational options or choice. In some areas vouchers allow parents to receive public funds and spend these funds at a school of their choice. This puts parents in control and not local school officials. Schools become more competitive this way and make a greater effort to satisfy their customers, which are the students and their parents. There is also the private school option and many parents with the funds take advantage of this option. Generally a student gets a better education at a private school than in a public one. Finally there is home school, which is suitable for the skills and schedules of some parents. They are able to directly interact with any one of their children on a daily basis to ensure that a child receives the instructions and help to obtain a good education. The majority of parents utilize the public schools and not one of these other three options. For this reason the emphasis in this article is on public education, but the comments can be utilized for all ways of obtaining a formal education.

There is variation in public schools between the states, individual school districts within a state, specific schools within a district, and each classroom in a school. The curriculum and policies can vary between districts. Likewise, do not assume that eighth-grade at one school is the same as eighth-grade at another school. One teacher is not equally qualified nor as effective with your student as another. The only way for you to really know what is going on is to get involved to the degree necessary to ensure yourself that you know what is going on and your child is getting the best education he can at this time.

I would encourage you to visit your child’s school and talk with personnel there. See the principle and any counselor or coach, as well as each teacher the child has. If he’s having problems in a particular class, you may want to visit with this specific teacher more than once during the school year. Compare what these adults are saying to what you hear from your student at home as he discusses school with you.

Talk with your student regularly on what he does at school both in the classroom and outside of it. Cover all of his experiences there. Compare what your child says to what you hear from school personnel. Does his feedback match their feedback?

Ask you student what he likes about school and what he doesn’t like. This could include academic things in the classroom, as well as the friends he makes, or the activities he participates in. Listen carefully and objectively. This will encourage the student to provide feedback both now and in the future. As you gather information, you will have a chance to provide some of your own advice as well as help the child in areas where you think he needs assistance.

Stressed the academic aspects of school. Are there some subjects that are easier for your student to understand? Could he use some additional help at home or the use of a tutor to help him understand a specific subject? What type of study skills is he developing? Is he learning to ask the right questions to get the information he needs? Does he bring home all of his homework and do it willingly? With most students you need to monitor this to verify that homework is being done consistently. How a student handles his homework will tell you a lot about his overall attitude toward school and education.

What concepts, ideas and theories are being discussed in specific classes? Do you agree with all of these? If not don’t hesitate to express your viewpoint or opinion and provide evidence to support your claims or arguments. Your student should hear what teachers are saying, as well as what parents are saying.

As your student studies various subjects over the years, how much is he learning and retaining? Does he merely memorize things and retain them long enough to pass a test and then forget them, or is he gathering valuable information that he can utilize or apply in his life? Is he learning to think and solve problems? Can he see the practical application of things learned in school? He should see the connection between education and family life, daily living, citizenship, and employment. These types of variables will influence the effort your child will put into school. His effort is the key to success in school and education and beyond. Also, questions like these will help you to pass a judgment on the learning that is taking place and the quality of education your child is receiving.

There will be academic tests given to your student in a classroom based on the material covered in the classroom. He will also participate in standardized tests administered by the school district on a periodic basis. Some of these standard tests are state-mandated and others are federal tests. Know the tests your child will take and how to interpret the results achieved by your student.

Depending on the school your child attends, there may be special programs he could participate in. For example some schools offer advanced classes or talented and gifted programs. Some schools have the funds to offer classes in art and music and drama, while other schools don’t offer these. Some schools offer full immersion in a specific language, while teaching all the regular academic subjects. This may be of interest to you and your child.

Schools at times will allow outside speakers to address students. Organizations can present programs or leave literature for students to read and/or take home. Be aware of the speakers and organizations who may influence your child at school. If you object to any of these, let the school know. If you disagree with part of the message, then discuss this with your student so he can hear your point of view also.

There are special needs programs too. These include meals to help provide nutrition for low income students. Slow learners get extra help in some districts. Normally the student has to be evaluated by school personnel in order to determine his abilities in specific areas before he can be placed in a specific program to assist him in his academic work or to receive help outside of the classroom for his academic work. In some district students with certain handicaps are allowed to attend classrooms with other students and are not isolated in their own classes or put in a special school. There can be several benefits derived from this.

For younger students there are plenty of playground activities that go on outdoors. For older students most physical activities are in the gym via physical education classes. Both young and older students can participate in school and/or community sponsored sports or athletic activities. In these ways your child can get some exercise and stay in better physical shape. Discuss with him which activities he likes and how much he participates in them at school. Does he like some games better than others, as well as one sport better than another?

Extracurricular activities are normally offered by most districts. These include clubs and/or group activities, as well as sports or other athletic events. Your child may have an interest in these things, but there may be fees to participate and parental involvement in providing transportation. Such activities can be used to supplement, complement, and reinforce school studies.

You will have to check out your child’s school and district to verify what is and is not available for your student. Then decide which activities and programs he will and will not participate in.

Most districts and their respective schools will hand out to the student and/or sent to the parent a handbook which includes rules and regulations for both student and parent to be aware of and follow. Review any such information and discuss it with your student.

Then maybe standards of conduct at your child’s school. These could include a dress code or even school uniforms. How well does your student adhere to these things and are you receiving any reports from the school of problems in this area?

In reviewing your child’s overall experience with school and education, assess the values being stressed and reinforced by the schools via the adults and students who interact with your child. He will also pick up attitudes and habits. Usually he won’t notice these changes while they’re happening, but this process will happen and it’s up to you the parent to be aware of the values, attitudes and habits that your child is letting into his life. Ask the child to identify any of these he can, and describe any that you notice yourself. Counsel with the child on what you believe would be good habits, attitudes and values to adopt.

As a final suggestion, do one simple thing. Strive to ask you student each day what happened at school. What was discussed in the classroom? Ask him to name something new that he learned. Were any tests taken? How did his interaction with friends go? Was he the subject of any ridicule or bullying? What did he have for lunch and did he eat all of it? Were there any special programs or assemblies and who participated? Did he text message in the classroom instead of paying attention to the teacher? These are just some typical questions to illustrate how you can talk with your student about a typical school day.

In summary many other things could be said about school and education. I challenge you to make your child’s education a priority in your life. Think about it and get involved. Be an active partner with your child in school affairs and in his overall education.

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Copyright 2009 Leland Pulleyy