Get Involved, Stay Involved
When children start kindergarten, most parents are quite involved with their education. They attend parent-teacher conferences, cheer on their children at school concerts, and proudly display their children’s artwork. But far too often, parents begin to distance themselves from their children’s schooling as the kids grow older. The involvement drops dramatically once young people enter middle and high school—in some respects the most difficult time for young people. Parents don’t have to go to school every day or even volunteer monthly, but it’s important to know what’s going on with their children’s education. Parent Involvement in Schooling is Asset 6 of Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets - the qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.
Here are the facts:
Research shows that young people are more likely to grow up healthy when their parents are involved in their education. Only 32 percent of young people, ages 11–18, say their parent(s) are actively involved in helping them succeed in school, according to Search Institute surveys. Remember, even if they don’t always show it, young people need your help with school. Check-in with your kids to see how they feel things are going with school—and make sure to communicate regularly with teachers as well.
Tips for building this asset:
Young people need their parents to stay actively involved in their education throughout middle and high school. If you’re a parent, introduce yourself to your child’s teachers and establish clear, open communication. Attend all teacher-parent conferences, or reschedule a more convenient time if needed. If possible, volunteer in small ways, such as speaking on career day or setting up for a classroom party. Also, talk to your child about school. Ask him or her about current assignments and projects. Be available to help when your child needs it. If you’re a teacher, reach out to parents and engage them as partners in their children’s education.
- In your home and family: Maintain ongoing communication with your child’s teachers. Call or e-mail to check in every other month—or more often if necessary.
- In your neighborhood and community: Join a parent-teacher organization. If your time is limited for volunteering do what you can when you can. Offer child care or transportation to parents who need these services to be able to get involved at their child’s school.
Want to know more about the
40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit
https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/developmental-assets-framework
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2017 Developmental Assets ® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people.