Parents and Success in Schools

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Parents are naturally concerned about their children's academic ability, and they want their children to do well in school. Many studies show that throughout the school years, more than any other factor, it is what parents do at home that makes the difference between success or failure for children in school.

On the next Parent Connection from Wisconsin Public Television (WPT), host Brenda Good will moderate a live discussion on "Parents and Success in School." Panel members will take a closer look at how parents can help their kids succeed in school and what school districts can do to get parents more involved. It airs at 7 p.m. Wednesday March 29 on WPT stations. WMVS-TV/Milwaukee also will air the program live.

Even when children reach school age and spend a majority of their day in school, it's the families who praise children's skills, and show interest and concern in their school work, whose kids tend to be successful in school. Thus, it is essential that parents be involved in their child's education. It has also been shown that it's what parents do, rather than their financial status, that most affects their child's academic success.

As a parent, you can support learning by being sure your child attends school regularly, staying in contact with your child's teachers, providing a place to study at home, speaking highly of the importance of education and encouraging outside reading.

School districts can also help parents become more involved in their child's education by inviting them to sit on committees, giving them a host of volunteer opportunities, being flexible as to when parents can come in and meet with teachers about their kids, and even getting them involved in their child's homework.

"From studies we know that 83% of parents want to be involved in their kids lives, so how do we make the opportunities available for them to do it?" asks Kristeen Christian, who works for Parents Plus of Wisconsin and will be appearing on the show. Parents Plus' main goal is to help form family-school partnerships. "Schools need to develop action teams that define roles for educators and parents. It takes time to build relationships with parents, but it does help the students succeed in the long run."