Education Secretary Urges Parental Input

Believing that parental involvement is a weak link in education today, Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley launched a campaign Wednesday to get the whole family involved in helping children learn. “This report is both a call to arms against ignorance--a challenge to adult America to reconnect with our children’s education--and a summary of concrete examples to inspire parents to be part of their children’s education in important new ways,” Riley says as he released an Education Department report. In an unusual gesture by the federal government, Riley offered guidelines on what parents should do to take an active role in their children’s education:

THE GUIDELINES

1. Read aloud to your children. Research shows that the single most effective way to prepare children for future success in reading is to read aloud to them. While American children’s math and science test scores have improved in recent years, reading and verbal scores have remained flat.

2. Set a regular time for homework each day and provide a quiet well-lit place for your children to study. Be available for questions and show you are interested. You don’t need to know all the answers.

3. If you are employed and your children are home alone after school, call them regularly from work to monitor their activities.

4. Give children responsibility for chores and involve them in making decisions for the family and setting rules.

5. Talk to your children about their days. Discuss school, drugs, alcohol and the values they should have. Encourage their academic interests. Teach them the importance of respecting others, working hard and taking responsibility.

6. Express high expectations and praise achievement. Encourage your children to take challenging courses such as algebra and geometry.

7. Make sure children go to school every day.

8. Keep track of your children’s academic progress. Talk regularly with their teachers. Visit them at school. If they are not being challenged academically, find out what you can do to change this.

Source: Times Washington Bureau