Six Ways Parents are Helping their Children Succeed in School

By Deanna Hurn, Founder and Executive Director of Miracle Math Coaching

Parents influence a student’s academic achievement five times more than teachers do, according to research conducted by the Royal Economic Society in the United Kingdom (UK).  And the Math nerd in me is happy to report that parental influence is strongest in Math and Science.

And it’s a fact that your child will likely earn higher grades and test scores, have better social skills and eventually graduate and go to college if you are actively involved in his or her education.

I’ve discussed this topic before, but now is a great time to revisit it because last Sunday was National Parents’ Day.  I know it sounds like a holiday created by Hallmark to boost summer revenues. Not so.

In 1994, then President Bill Clinton signed a law for “recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children.”  I also include foster parents, guardians, grandparents and other extended family who are raising children. Take a moment to pat yourselves on the back.

And many of you are already involved in your child’s education. According to National Center for Education Statistics’ Parent and Family Involvement in Education Survey, parents are engaging in the following ways to help their students succeed:

• 78 percent attended a parent-teacher conference;
• 74 percent attended a class or school event;
• 65 percent participated in school fundraising;
• 86 percent said they had received information about the parents’ expected role at the student’s school;
• 46 percent served as a volunteer on a school committee; and
• 89 percent of those interviewed from January-May 2007 said they had attended at least

Don’t worry if you don’t have time to participate at the school.  Your actions at home have an even greater impact than volunteering or attending meetings. You can make a big difference just by encouraging reading, turning off the television, playing board and card games, discussing current events and talking about the importance of school.

Another way to  help your child do better in Math, specifically, is to check out Miracle Math Coaching.  All of our processes and procedures support brain-based research and learning.

Please visit our website at http://www.miraclemathcoaching.com or call me at 707-398-3474, ext. 2700.  Miracle Math Coaching is an award-winning, student-focused service with a track record of boosting academic achievement.