Get Involved at School Article Archive

Practical tips on how you can make an impact on your child's education by getting involved at school.

• When You’re the New Mom (or Dad) at SchoolIf you think being the new kid at school is difficult, try being the new parent. Your child may have the ability to make new friends during class, over lunch, and at recess, but for you it’s not so easy. Our experts offer specific ways to reach out and develop successful connections with other parents and your child’s teacher.
• Why Parent Involvement MattersGetting involved in school can help your child get a better education.
• 9/11: Tips for Observing the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 With Your ChildrenAdvice on how to address the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, with your children without overwhelming them.
• A Teacher’s Advice for Struggling StudentsCarol Wooten, winner of a presidential teaching excellence award, shares her insights with parents whose kids are having trouble reaching their full potential in school.
• 5 Ways To Help Your Child Succeed in SchoolGet your children ready to perform like heroes in school with these teacher-recommended tips.
• How To Get Involved at School20 simple ways you can help your child and the school.
• Parents Step UpThese inspiring parents shared their talents and time to help their children's schools become even better places to learn.
• Understanding Common Education TermsEver feel like you need a translator to understand what a teacher is saying? This collection of common school and education terms will help you understand the acronyms and jargon you may encounter.
• Schools Push for Healthier SnacksBirthday treats and bake sales are out at many schools. Baked chips and fresh fruit are in.
• The IEP Process at SchoolParents play an important role in making sure their children get the right special education services. These tips can help you advocate for your child throughout the IEP process.
• Involvement Matters: What Parents Should KnowWhy should you get involved in your child’s education? Because it can make a dramatic difference in your child’s achievement at school and beyond.
• What Teachers Want From ParentsTeachers share simple steps parents can take to help their kids do their best in school.
• Crafty Parent Shares Her TalentsSharon Johnston has always loved crafts. Now she’s passing on her passion to the students at her daughter’s school.
• What School Parent Groups DoPTOs and PTAs are often known for their fundraising, but they do a lot more.
• Parents’ Support For Teachers Sets A Good ExampleWhen parents and teachers work together, students reap the benefits.
• To promote learning, don’t interrupt the school dayForging a strong parent-school relationship means more than just joining the PTA.
• Parents Who Monitor Children Influence Behavior & GradesNow that your child is in middle school, you don’t need to hover over her every minute.
• 10 Ways To Help Your Child Deal With Peer PressureTangible ways to help your child cope with peer pressure.
• Middle Schoolers Still Need Help With ProblemsYour child’s grade in a subject plummets. He never has homework . . . or has trouble with assignments. He’s afraid to go to school.
• Boost Student Achievement by Getting InvolvedResearch shows student achievement rises when parents are involved in their children’s education. This is true for all grade levels.
• Support Education To Boost Your Child’s SuccessAs a new school year begins, be supportive of your child’s education.
• Help Your Middle Schooler AdjustStarting at a new school, especially in the middle grades, can be tough.
• Disabled Teenagers May Need Special Test AccommodationsTeens today have to take many important tests—from college entrance exams to state tests.
• Do You Know Key Who’s Who at Your Teen’s School?Who was your teen’s elementary school principal?
• Get Involved So Your Teenager Doesn’t Feel the Need To CheatAny teacher will tell you that there’s always been some cheating in school. But today, cheating seems to be at an all-time high.
• Teens Are Less Likely to Drop Out If Parents Are InvolvedYour involvement in your teen’s education is always important. But if you feel your teen is at risk for dropping out, involvement goes from being important to being critical.
• Start an After-School Club to Meet Your Teen’s InterestsYour teen spends hours on the computer, but there’s no computer club at school.
• Get High School off to a Good StartThe first year in high school can be a make-or-break year, says one veteran principal.
• Tip: Get to Know Your Children’s Teachers EarlyFirst impressions are crucial. The first contact you make with your child’s teachers can set the stage for the rest of the year.
• What's Your Child Doing at School?You can, and should, keep track of what your child is learning at school.
• When Should You Write a Letter to School?There are lots of reasons to communicate with your child’s school.
• Teachers Wish Parents Would Do These ThingsParents and teachers can work more closely if they know what is expected of them.
• Five Ways You Can Make a Difference This School YearAs a parent, you were your child's first teacher. Even when your child is in school, you still teach important lessons every day. Research shows that when parents and schools work together, students do better.
• Is It Time for a Conference With Your Principal?Even the most successful adults sometimes feel nervous about meeting with the school principal.
• Use the C.A.R.E.S. model to build a strong partnershipIt’s hardly news that children learn best when parents are involved.
• Both Parents Can Remain Involved in Child's SchoolAbout half the children in school today will spend some time living in a single-parent family. But often, both parents want to remain involved with their children's education.
• Follow These Eight Steps To Solve School ProblemsWhen you think your child is having a problem at school, don’t wait, or the problem may get bigger.
• You Need to Be an Effective Advocate For Your ChildWhen kids need special education, parents must sometimes become advocates.
• Parents & Schools Should Work Together on ProblemsVery rarely will a child go through school without ever breaking a rule.
• Tell the teacher if homework is causing problemsIs your child struggling with homework? Don’t delay in getting help.
• Parents Can Help Children Have a Great School YearSchools do their best to provide children with a quality education.
• 10 Success Secrets for Parent TutoringTutoring your own child can be a difficult undertaking. Children can be overly sensitive and stubborn. Parents can get impatient.
• Homework Hints for Latchkey KidsToday’s kids don’t live in a “Leave It To Beaver” world. A growing number are home alone after school.
• Steps To Help Your Child Earn Great GradesSome kids—and even some parents—believe that an A student is just born that way. But teachers know that students can learn the skills they need to earn A’s.
• Education "Basics" Are Learned at HomeWe hear a lot of talk about teaching children basic skills.
• Provide Homework Help by Asking QuestionsChildren whose parents are involved in their education do better in school. A key way to be involved is to help your child with homework.
• Parents' Role in Homework Is ImportantKids grumble about it. Parents worry about it. But homework does help children learn better.
• Tips for Helping With Writing AssignmentsA writing assignment can seem like a tough challenge for a child. From "talking through" an idea, to making notes, to creating an outline, there are many ways you can help your child feel successful at writing.
• Children Do Better When Parents Monitor SchoolworkAfter reviewing thousands of studies on learning, researchers discovered one clear and certain fact: The most outstanding students have parents who monitor their schoolwork.
• Homework Help: Dos and Don'tsSome tips to keep in mind when you help your child with homework.
• Make Homework a Positive Learning ExperienceThere’s no question that students today have more homework than kids used to have.
• Back-to-School Parent HomeworkA little preparation before school starts can make it an A-plus year for the whole family.
• Presentations on Online Safety Resources to help you arrange a school presentation for parents about how to keep kids safe online.
• Learning Styles QuizGet insight into how your child learns best.
• Are You a Helicopter Parent?Take the quiz to find out where you fall on the involvement spectrum.
• How Dads Can HelpWhen fathers get involved, children do better in school. Here are some simple, effective ways that dads can make a difference.
• What Is Your Child’s Learning Style?Understanding how your child learns can reduce frustration and improve achievement.
• Parents Are Teachers, TooUse these simple ideas to reinforce learning at home and develop your child’s academic skills.
• Moving Up to Middle SchoolThe step from elementary to middle school can be a big one, but these tips will help ease the transition for both parents and children.
• Get Ready for KindergartenBeing sure of your child's kindergarten readiness will help ease first-day stress and prepare your child for kindergarten success in the year ahead.
• Facebook and Social Networking: What Parents Should KnowSocial networking sites like Facebook keep growing in popularity, especially among teens. But they can also be used for online bullying. Here are 10 tips to get parents up to speed and help them be aware of their teen's social networking activity.
• 11 Tips for Kindergarten ParentsSimple ways to get involved and make a difference for your child and the school.
• 10 Tips for Middle School ParentsWays to stay involved in your child’s education—even when she’d rather not have you around.
• Back-to-School QuizThe transition from summer fun to school rules can stress out kids and parents alike. Take our quiz to see what your future holds: happy days or high blood pressure!
• One Last Dance With My DaughterA mom writes movingly about what it means to be involved in her child's school and education. A must-read for any parent who has ever thought about volunteering at school.
• "It’s Worth Every Minute"Helping your children succeed in school and beyond is easy. Just get involved.
• 25 Ways You Can Make a DifferenceBeing involved in your children’s education can be as simple as asking them about their school day or as bold as volunteering once a week for lunchroom duty.
• 5 Reasons To Get InvolvedHigher grades and better behavior are just a few of the benefits of parent involvement.