New Report Finds Many Middle School Parents are Unprepared for their Children's College Education
Many parents who are actively involved in the education of their children at the elementary school level become less involved when their children reach middle school. However, parent involvement in a child's education during the middle school years (ages 10 to 14) is just as important in a child's success at school as it is in earlier grades. If the school doesn't have a formal participation plan for parents, it is important that parents take the initiative to continue their involvement and collaboration in their children's school.
Why Is It Important For Parents To Be Involved at the Middle School Level?
The results of recent research are very clear: When parents are actively involved in their children's education, they do better in school.
The academic level of the parents, their socioeconomic level, and their ethnic or racial origin are not determining factors for academic success. It is essential for parents to have a positive attitude regarding education, and to demonstrate trust that their children can do well.
How Will Your Children and Your School Benefit From Your Involvement? When parents become involved, both students and school benefit:
- Grades and test results are higher;
- Students' attitudes and behavior are more positive;
- Academic programs are more successful; and
- The schools, as a whole, are more effective.
The participation of all parents, including those with limited knowledge of English, is important to the academic achievement of their children. Such participation has many positive consequences for the family, the school, and especially for the young adolescent:
- The family has the chance to understand the school system better.
- The teachers can understand students who come from other cultures more easily.
- The students receive support from adults in order to confront the problems of adolescence-particularly where these problems are accentuated by the conflicting cultures of home, friends, and school.
- The school can become the natural extension of the home, aiding in the preservation of families' cultures and values.
What Can Parents Do To Support Education at Home?
- Talk with your child about what happens at school every day. Ask often if there are messages from the school.
- Spend some relaxed time with your children. Share a meal or a snack. Tell them often what you like about them.
- Listen to and share their worries. Support what you believe to be good about the school and offer your help to change any school practices that you believe could be harmful to your child.
- Avoid scoldings and arguments when your teenagers bring bad news home. Listen to their reasons and offer your help to improve the situation. It helps if your children know you believe they will be successful.
Value their education by encouraging homework and reading. Help your children choose a good time and place to do their assignments and special projects. Provide the necessary materials and give them your unconditional support.
What Can Parents Do in the Middle School?
The way that parents become involved in the middle school can be somewhat different from what they were accustomed to in the elementary school. Generally, the building is larger, and it could be located farther from home. A middle school student may have several teachers, not just one as in the elementary school. The schedule is probably more complicated.
Don't be surprised if your teenagers feel embarrassed when you go to their school. It is not uncommon for them to resent their parents' presence at school. Here are some suggestions to increase your involvement:
- Get to know several teachers, not just one. Don't wait for a problem to talk to them.
- Keep in touch with the guidance counselors. They generally know all of the students in the school, and they can keep you informed regarding the progress and behavior of your child.
- Read all information on school policies and curriculum carefully. Normally, schools send this information home at the beginning of the school year.
- Review your child's school records each year. It is your right, and you should know what information is in the file.
- Keep informed about your child's grades and test results, especially in any subjects in which he or she has problems. Ask for help if it is needed.
- Request periodic meetings with the teachers. If you don't speak or understand English, ask for a translator or bring a bilingual friend or family member with you. Request information concerning programs that the school offers for students with limited English proficiency. Be sure your child is placed in the program that best meets his or her needs.
- Get to know other parents and form support groups to work on problems and issues of mutual interest.
- Answer notes and other correspondence the school sends. If you do not understand these messages due to language problems, ask the principal to send them to you in the language you understand.
Source: Parent Involvement at the Middle School Level, an article prepared by ACCESS ERIC, with funding from the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education.