PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Important Considerations for Parents

1. Know who is teaching your children, what they are being taught, and letting your concerns be recognized in the schools. It is important that these individuals realize that you care about your child and their experience in school.
2. Do you know your rights as a parent? __________________
3. Are you familiar with the school district's curriculum for your child's school, and their grade level? _________ (This information can be found at the school, internet or local library.)
4. Do you know your school choices? (i.e. private and home schooling, charter schools, and vouchers)

GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION

SCHOOLS
Become involved in your child’s education.

“The most basic statement that can be made about parent and family involvement in education is that when it happens, everyone benefits.”” (Parent Involvement in Education: A Resource for Parents, Educators, and Communities Chapter 1 State of Iowa Department of Education)

The benefits of parent involvement for students are:
More positive attitudes toward school;
Higher achievement in reading;
Higher quality and more grade appropriate homework;
Completion of more homework on weekends; and
Observing more similarities between family and school. (Epstein, 1991)

The benefits of parent involvement for parents and community are:
Receive ideas from school on how to help children;
Learn more about educational programs and how the school works;
Become more supportive of children;
Become more confident about ways to help children learn; and
More positive views of teachers (Epstein, 1992; Henderson, 1987; Liontos, 1992).

Respond to the following:
Do you know your child's teacher? ___________
Do you attend parent/teacher conferences? _____________
Do you know your child's school's goals? ___________
Do you contact your child's teacher if your child is having difficulties in any areas? ___________________________
Do you know what your school choices are in your school district? ____________
Do you know who is on the school board? ___________________________

BECOME INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION