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Research Says

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Your involvement at home and at school strengthens your child's schooling and overall education. Every action below is strongly supported by educational research (bold text).

At home related to overall education
At school related to schooling
At home related to schooling


At home related to overall education

Establish a daily family routine. Get children ready for school every morning. Be firm about times to get up and go to bed.
Families whose children do well in school have a daily home routine, which prepares the children to learn at school.

Read to your children and have them read to you. Discuss what you've read. Write letters, lists, and messages together.
Families whose children do well in school have a home life that includes reading, writing, and family discussions.

Tell stories and share problems. Reflect on lessons learned from daily experiences.
Families whose children do well in school have a home life that includes reading, writing, and family discussions.

Expose your children to many learning opportunities outside of school: museums, nature centers, planetariums, concerts, etc. Talk about current events.
Families whose children do well in school monitor out-of-school activities and encourage active learning situationsÏsocial, physical, and educational.

Recognize and encourage special talents. Enroll your children in out-of-school programs that support their interests.
Families whose children do well in school monitor out-of-school activities and encourage active learning situationsÏsocial, physical, and educational.

Set goals and standards that are appropriate for your children's ages and levels of maturity.
Families whose children do well in school express high but realistic expectations for achievement and communicate that they value education.

Introduce children to role models and mentors.
Families whose children do well in school monitor out-of-school activities and encourage active learning situationsÏsocial, physical, and educational.

Keep family and friends informed on your children's successes.
Families whose children do well in school communicate that they value education.

Communicate with your children through questioning and conversation.
Families whose children do well in school have a home life that includes reading, writing, and family discussions.

Look up and use community services: Boys and Girls clubs, libraries, the YMCA or YWCA, etc.
Families whose children do well in school have a home life that includes use of community resources.


At school related to schooling

Share your knowledge, skills, job description, or interests with your child's class.
Students feel better about school/schoolwork when their parents are involved with the school's instructional program. This benefits ALL students in the school and makes the school more effective.

Visit the classroom. Determine the school's needs, and volunteer to help.
The most successful schools provide many ways for parents to participate, greatly improving the quality of schools in both low- and high-resource communities.

Stay in touch with teachers and school staff.
Students feel better about school/schoolwork when their parents are involved with the school's instructional program. This benefits ALL students in the school and makes the school more effective.

Work with small groups or individuals in the classroom. Help tutor your child or other students.
Students feel better about school/schoolwork when their parents are involved with the school's instructional program. This benefits ALL students in the school and makes the school more effective.

Talk directly with the teacher to share your individual and joint expectations for your child's growth and progress.
Students feel better about school/schoolwork when their parents are involved with the school's instructional program. This benefits ALL students in the school and makes the school more effective.

Serve on collaborative, decision-making school committees.
The most successful schools provide many ways for parents to participate, greatly improving the quality of schools in both low- and high-resource communities.

Help arrange and organize "open-house" activities and meetings.
The most successful schools provide many ways for parents to participate, greatly improving the quality of schools in both low- and high-resource communities.


At home related to schooling

Help your children with homework, without doing it for them.
Families whose children do well in school support their children's growth and progress, help them develop good study habits, and create an environment for schoolwork.

Provide time and a quiet place to study.
Families whose children do well in school support their children's growth and progress, help them develop good study habits, and create an environment for schoolwork.

Show interest in and have high expectations for your child's progress at school, continuing education, and career choices.
Families whose children do well in school express high but realistic expectations for achievement and communicate that they value education.

Assist teachers by obtaining and preparing class materials.
Students feel better about school/schoolwork when their parents are involved with the school's instructional program. This benefits ALL students in the school and makes the school more effective.

Discuss the value of a good education and possible career options.
Families whose children do well in school express high but realistic expectations for achievement and communicate that they value education.

Explain school programs and needs to your communityÏneighbors, the school board, community organizations, etc.
Students feel better about school/schoolwork when their parents are involved with the school's instructional program. This benefits ALL students in the school and makes the school more effective.

Offer to help with field trips and extracurricular activities.
The most successful schools provide many ways for parents to participate, greatly improving the quality of schools in both low- and high-resource communities.

Give spelling or math drills.
Families whose children do well in school support their children's growth and progress, help them develop good study habits, and create an environment for schoolwork.


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Lawrence Hall of Science    © Saturday, 20-Mar-2010 00:07:39 PDT The Regents of the University of California    Contact Parent Portal    Updated Thursday, 28-May-2009 11:49:56 PDT