5 Things Parents Should Know About Their Role In Their Child’s Education

Cathy Cartier is a mother, grandmother, Parent Toolkit expert, and yes, a teacher. She’s taught high school English Language Arts for over fifteen years, and has even been nationally recognized for her work in the classroom. After spending countless hours helping students grow, she now has a few lessons to pass on to parents. Here are five things she wants you to know.

1. Be your child’s best advocate.  Despite well-meaning professionals, no one knows your student like you do – his strengths and weaknesses, her bents and fears.  I do not want to encourage a parenting style that creates students who shrink from a struggle or who cannot advocate for themselves. Students must increasingly develop a sense of drive and an ability to cope with obstacles independently.  However, when you speak up on her behalf, you are not a nuisance or interfering or in any way disrespecting your child’s teacher.  You are not a “helicopter parent.”  You are simply taking your job as parent seriously.
2. Meet your child’s teachers and principal.  Take advantage of every open house and Parent-Teacher Conference because you need to know who is supervising your child’s education.  Bring your student with you when you can.  You need to be familiar with the teachers’ teaching styles and their methods of communicating with you, the parent.  You need to understand your child’s schedule and the hardships it could present.  These times set aside for conversations about individual students provide you and your teachers with valuable insight.
3. Take advantage of the school’s learning management system. When possible, check in with your student about what he’s working on.  By checking in regularly, you can catch problems early.  If needed, schedule a time to talk with your teacher about your child’s progress and what you can do to help.  Whether your child needs more of a challenge or is struggling to keep up, you are the most important overseer of his education.
4. Stay informed.  Both public and private education is complicated today.  You should be up on your student’s grade level expectations.  If the teachers and staff of your child’s school are being trained in a new method of mathematics, ask authorities if that training can be provided to parents.  Know what your child is reading in English class and how often students have the opportunity to participate in science labs.  In addition, you need to know about other aspects of your child’s school day.  If a new plan to safeguard against intruders is being put in place, be sure you know what it is and that you can talk to your student about it.
5. Know that students have rights.  Every student has the right to a quality education with the appropriate supports to enable them to meet high expectations.  That starts with the strategies you use at home to help your child, but you also need to know what educational law requires of schools and what your school district’s policies are.  Be sure that you are leveraging the talent and expertise of the professionals who are working with your child to ensure the best outcome for your child.  Work together with them to set goals for your student’s success and aim high!

A child’s pk-12 education in school settings is significantly optimized with a fully informed and involved parent or caregiver’s input.

Any questions?