Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers. Children who are
happy, well-adjusted, and earn top grades almost always have parents who take an interest
in their school work.
One of the best ways parents can become involved is to visit their children's school to
talk with the principal and teachers.
Unfortunately, many parents don't do this. The Center for Research on Elementary and
Middle Schools in Baltimore recently asked Maryland parents about their school
involvement. (The U.S. Department of Education funds 14 research and development centers
across the country. These centers conduct research on ways to improve American education.)
More than one-third of those surveyed said they had not met with a teacher during the
year. Almost 60 percent said they never talked with a teacher by phone.
Many parents feel uncomfortable meeting with teachers because they don't know what
questions to ask. Schools can sometimes be intimidating places for parents. But they
shouldn't be. Parents can do several things to make school visits easier and more
productive.
Here are some suggestions developed by the Department of Education's Office of
Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) for becoming familiar with your children's
schools and their progress. Although these ideas are for elementary school children, many
of them can be adapted and used by parents of children in middle, junior high, or high
schools.
Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers. Children who are
happy, well-adjusted, and earn top grades almost always have parents who take an interest
in their school work.
One of the best ways parents can become involved is to visit their children's school to
talk with the principal and teachers.
Unfortunately, many parents don't do this. The Center for Research on Elementary and
Middle Schools in Baltimore recently asked Maryland parents about their school
involvement. (The U.S. Department of Education funds 14 research and development centers
across the country. These centers conduct research on ways to improve American education.)
More than one-third of those surveyed said they had not met with a teacher during the
year. Almost 60 percent said they never talked with a teacher by phone.
Many parents feel uncomfortable meeting with teachers because they don't know what
questions to ask. Schools can sometimes be intimidating places for parents. But they
shouldn't be. Parents can do several things to make school visits easier and more
productive.
Here are some suggestions developed by the Department of Education's Office of
Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) for becoming familiar with your children's
schools and their progress. Although these ideas are for elementary school children, many
of them can be adapted and used by parents of children in middle, junior high, or high
schools.
Planning A Visit
First, plan your visit. Start by talking with your children to determine their
attitudes and perceptions about school. Ask them what their favorite and least favorite
subjects are and why; how they get along with teachers and other children; how they are
doing in specific subjects; and, what their grades are. Their perceptions may be entirely
different from reality. For example, they may believe they're getting a low grade when
they're actually doing "A" work - or vice versa.
Have them tell you about their teachers, principal, and other students in their
classes. Find out what they would like you to discuss with their teachers.
Think through in advance the questions you want to ask. Write them down so you won't
forget them or use this brochure as a checklist.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Most teachers and principals welcome visits, while
others prefer they call first. Check with your school to see what the policy is. Always
sign in at the office when you arrive.
School Atmosphere
Visiting a school can acquaint you with its physical and learning environments and help
you learn about the administrators, teachers, and students. If it's been awhile since you
were last in a classroom and you're uncertain what to look for, here are a few
suggestions:
- Observe the outside area around the school. Is it orderly?
- What is on display in the entrance or reception areas?
- How would you describe the halls and bathroom?
- Is student work exhibited anywhere?
- How do the principals, teachers, and students interact with each other? Do they greet
one another by name?
- How do students behave between classes? Are they orderly?
- What types of materials do students have on their desks during class?
- What kinds of interruptions occur? Are announcements made frequently over a loudspeaker?
Are students pulled out of class often?
- How are individual classrooms decorated? Is academic work displayed? Is outstanding work
visually recognized anywhere?
- How large are the classes?
School Policies and Services
You should be familiar with the school's policies. They often are explained in a
handbook distributed when school begins. If you have a copy, read through it before your
visit. If any of the policies are unclear, now is the time to learn about them. If you
haven't seen a handbook, find out if the school has one. If you don't already know, you
may want to ask:
- What is the attendance policy? How are absences and tardies treated?
- What are the dress and conduct codes?
- How does the school handle discipline problems? What are the punishments for breaking
rules? Who carries out disciplinary actions?
- Ask your child, the teachers, and the principal if the school has a drug problem. If
there is one, what is the school doing about it? What kind of drug education program
exists?
- What are the school's policies for keeping parents informed about school schedules,
events, or problems? Is there a newsletter?
- What facilities does the school have? Is there a library? What are its hours? How many
books does the library have? What kind? What types of reference books are available for
students?
- What types of special services does the school offer? Does it offer testing programs for
vision, hearing, and learning disabilities? Is there a guidance counselor? Is a school
nurse available? Is there any kind of supervised after-school study program for students?
Curriculum
You need to know what your child is expected to learn during the year. Here are some
questions to ask:
- What are the teacher's academic goals for the year?
- What will your child be learning in math or reading during the year? For example, in
math will it be decimals, fractions, or division?
- Ask to see samples of your child's work.
- What must your child learn to be promoted to the next grade?
- Are students placed in groups for reading and math? What group is your child in and why?
Ask for specific reasons. How often does the teacher re-evaluate your child's placement in
a group? If your child is in a low-level reading group and his skills improve, will he be
promoted to a higher-level group?
- What kinds of tests does the teacher give to see if students have learned the material
taught in class? How often are they given? Are tests results sent home or given to
students?
- What kinds of achievement tests will be given during the year? What is their purpose?
How will the results be used?
- How often is homework assigned? What role does the teacher expect you to play in
homework.
- How is your child's grade determined?
- How often are report cards sent home?
Behavior
Here are some questions to ask about your child's progress:
- Is he doing as well as he should be in school?
- Is she performing at, above, or below grade level in her subjects?
- Does she need any special help in any subject? If so, where is the help available?
- Does he get along with other children?
- Does she show any behavior, such as squinting or being tired, that may signify a
physical problem?
- Are there any discipline problems with your child?
- Does he participate in class?
- How are her work habits and attitude?
- Can the teacher suggest ways you can help your child do better in school?
- How does the teacher keep parents informed about their children's progress or problems?
This is also a good time for you to share information about your child. Have there been
any recent upheavals, such as divorce or a death in the family, that may affect school
performance? Discuss any special talents, interests, or strengths your child shows at
home.
It's also a good time to give the teachers a pat on the back. Frequently the only time
teachers hear from parents is when they have a complaint. Make it a point to compliment
your child's teachers when things are going well. Mention specific instances where the
teacher has been especially helpful to your child.
Suggestions for Working Parents
When both parents work, it is often difficult to find time for a school visit. Most
teachers try to have at least one conference a year with parents of all their students.
Such conferences seldom take longer than one hour.
Your boss may be willing to give you an hour off for a school conference. If it is
impossible to get away from work during the day to meet with your child's teachers,
arrange to talk with them by telephone. If you drive your child to school, leave a few
minutes early one day to drop in at the office, introduce yourself to the principal, and
take a look around.
Many parents attend evening or weekend school functions, such as band performances,
plays, assemblies, or athletic events. Teachers often are on hand at these events. If you
call ahead of time, teachers may agree to meet with you before or after the event. Some
teachers also may be willing to come in early to meet with you before school. Remember
that many teachers are also working parents and appreciate the difficulties you face. If
you're willing to make the effort to meet with them, most teachers will do likewise.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Being involved in your child's education at school doesn't take any special skills. It
does take time, attention and common sense. How involved are you?
- Do you attend parent-teacher organization meetings?
- Do you read the notes and newsletters your child brings home from school?
- Do you talk with your child's teachers regularly?
- Do you keep up with his homework?
- When your child brings home schoolwork, do you look at it and discuss it with her?
- Do you read aloud to your child and encourage him to read?
- Do you set high standards for your child, encourage her to do well, and praise her when
she does?
- Do you create a climate for learning in your home by setting aside quiet times for
studying?
Resources
The Department of Education has prepared several publications to help parents. They can
be ordered by writing to the Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colorado 81009. Two of
them are free; the others cost 50 cents each.
What Works is a practical guide for parents and teachers. It contains easy-to-read
summaries of research found to be most effective in helping children to learn.
by: Kay McKinney and Nancy Paulu
Prepared by:
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
U.S. Department of Education
Washington, DC 20208.
