Top 5 Tips for Parents to Actively Engage in Their Child’s Education
The new school year is here. And just as we prepare students, it’s important for parents and guardians to be prepared too. Navigating any school system can be very overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five ways to help you support your child’s education during the upcoming school year.
Do your homework. Learn about the policies related to attendances, grades and other important areas for you and your student. Read the student/family handbook from cover to cover. If one is not provided, ask your teacher, counselor or parent liaison where it can be found online.
Know the teachers. Reach out to your student’s teachers to introduce yourself and ensure they have all of your correct contact information. If something, like your phone number changes, update them immediately. Make it a habit to communicate with the teachers regularly, not just at report card time. Many have parent portals and messaging systems like Class Dojo available to make direct communication easier.
Get involved. Be involved as much as you can with your child’s academic career. Join the PTA even if you can’t attend every meeting. Attend school activities and functions when you can. If you are unable to attend a parent conference in person, request a Zoom meeting during a time that works better And if you have more than one student at the same school ask them to schedule the meetings back-to-back.
Ask questions. Parents don’t know everything, and that’s okay. It’s better to ask questions than to make assumptions or avoid communicating. As your child’s primary advocate, it’s important that you speak up, know your rights, and ask questions geared towards helping your child succeed.
Accept support. Sometimes additional support is suggested for children - that’s not a bad thing. Small groups, special education IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations and safety plans are not your enemy. They are all resources that can be used to better support student performance and progress. The same holds true for therapy and other emotional support services. When the conversations come up and meetings are being scheduled, it’s imperative that you prioritize your child’s needs over what others may think. Show up. Participate. When these meetings are held to discuss options for your child it is ok to bring a support person with you. You can also ask for a child advocate through your county government or community agency.
No matter what your personal experience has been, each school year is a fresh start. The same way we gather school supplies and new clothes to ensure students are equipped, parents and guardians should be equipped too. These five tips are no-cost opportunities for you to invest in your child’s educational success. Need more support? Reach out to one of the resource agencies listed below.
Additional Resources:
Attendance Works - www.attendanceworks.org
GA Department of Education – www.gadoe.org
Parent to Parent – www.p2pga.org
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – www.choa.org
Strong4Life – www.strong4life.com
TELIC Empowerment – www.telicempowerment.org