How Does Parent Involvement Help Kids in the Classroom?

It is no secret that kids whose parents are involved in their education are more likely to succeed. Studies have shown that parents' involvement in your child's schoolwork and in the school not only positively affects your own child's performance, but benefits the teacher and the entire class. Additionally, parent groups are increasingly being called upon to supplement school funding and offset rising costs.

  1. The Importance of Education

    • Parents who take an active part in their child's schooling are showing him they value education. Additionally, the best predictor of a child's success in school is the parents' expectations. Children whose parents expect school success are more likely to be high achievers. Monitoring a child's homework will not only assure that it gets done, but shows a child that you believe in the importance of continuing learning at home. It is not necessary to know all of the answers to your child's homework, but being available for encouragement and to answer questions is also valuable.

    Greater School Success

    • Students with involved parents are more likely to have higher test scores, better school attendance and more motivation to succeed. They also are less likely to use drugs or alcohol and are less likely to commit acts of violence. Additionally, children who read to their parents regularly make significant gain in their reading skills. Parents who volunteer in the schools are also demonstrating other school and life skills, such as hard work, commitment and effective communication.

    Parents as Fundraisers

    • With school districts facing a spending crunch, parents are often called upon to raise money for "extras," such as field trips, athletic teams or clubs. Parents may write a grant to pay for an extracurricular activity, or go the more traditional route, such as sponsoring and taking part in car washes or bake sales, to pay for class trips or school dances. A parent-teacher organization may also choose to sponsor a club that might otherwise not exist, such as a school yearbook or newspaper.

    Ways to Help

    • Ask your child's teacher or principal how you can volunteer your time. Some teachers will ask for help with photocopying or setting up crafts or workstations. Some may ask parents to assist individual children. Other schools use parent volunteers as lunchroom or playground monitors, or to assist in a computer lab or library. The choices are endless, and end up benefiting not only your child, but the entire school community.

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