8704 Yates Dr., Suite 205
Westminster, CO 80031
rmfc.org
303-292-1800
Parents And School
With all the talk about education reform, one simple fact is often overlooked: mothers and fathers exert far more influence over their children's intellectual development than is commonly realized. In fact, according to the Family Research Council, more than three decades of research shows that families have greater influence over a child's academic performance than any other factor including schools and teachers. Yet, curiously, almost all public discussion about improving education in this country centers around school-based reforms of one kind or another. Unless and until our education debate begins to focus on the family, significantly improving student performance in America is likely to remain an elusive goal.
Educators have been saying for years that a student's family life has a great influence on academic performance, and yet education reform looks everywhere but the family for answers. According to the Family Research Council, a seminal study from the University of Chicago in the mid-1960's showed that while several school factors proved to have a modest effect on student performance, they paled in comparison to the influence of family background. A 1994 report issued by the U.S. Department of Education noted that thirty years of research shows that greater family involvement in children's learning is a critical link to achieving a high-quality education. What about kids from poor homes? A research review found that the home learning environment is at least twice as influential on student achievement as socio-economic status.
Higher pay for teachers, smaller class sizes, and other educational hot-buttons pale in comparison to the importance of parents in student academic achievement. How can parents help ensure their student's academic success at home? By adopting simple strategies like having mealtimes together, maintaining regular family bedtimes and study times, monitoring out-of-school activities such as television viewing, and by modeling the value of learning by regularly using newspapers, encyclopedias, computers and other learning tools at home. In addition, parents should express high but realistic expectations for achievement in school and reward their student's success with special recognition. Parents can also encourage their children's academic progress by helping with homework, maintaining dialogue with teachers, and by volunteering at school.
Parents can stimulate their student's reading, writing, and speaking skills through mealtime talks, bedtime stories, and letters to relatives. Parents can also ensure academic success by using libraries, museums, sports programs, music lessons, and cultural events to teach their children. How important are these home factors? Surprisingly, several studies have found the frequency of family meals together to be a strong predictor of student test scores. Student achievement is also greatly influenced by parents having books available at home, reading to children, taking trips together, and guiding TV watching. Just reading to your child can boost academic achievement and even IQ. Education reform truly does begin at home.
Rocky Mountain Family Council
8704 Yates Drive, Suite 205
Westminster, CO 80031
(303) 292-1800
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