By Norbert Luster
“When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more.” That's the conclusion of a recent report from the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory. The report, a synthesis of research on parent involvement over the past decade, goes on to find that, regardless of family income or background, "students with involved parents are more likely to:
Earn higher grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-level programs;
Be promoted, pass their classes, and earn credits; Attend school regularly; Have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school; and
Graduate and go on to postsecondary education" (Henderson & Mapp, 2002).
Parent involvement works as evidenced in my recent visit to Meridian High Schools / Ross Collins Campuses, to participate in the judging of the “Homecoming Classroom Doors.” I, along with four (4) other parents, from both the city and county, took part in a very rewarding and fun-filled morning judging both student and staff creativity at its finest. We were all pleasantly surprised at how clean and orderly the campus was and the overall improvements that have been made recently. I have been attending events at the Meridian High Campus for quite a few years and I can attest to the marked improvement of the overall campus and the attitude of the staff.
As parents, our foremost thoughts are of our children, whether they are babies, adolescents, or teenagers. We worry and fret over how they are doing in school, the kinds of friends they are making (and most importantly the ones they hang-out with), how our words and actions (or the words and actions of their peers) are affecting them, and so much more. As parents our children consume our thoughts.
When we translate those thoughts into actions regarding education, we are more likely to have children who take school seriously and who work hard to achieve. In order for our children to fulfill their roles in education, parents must assume their responsibilities as parents. We must attend school events with our children, enroll them in extracurricular activities and sports, and ask them about their homework and school projects. In other words, we must prioritize education and provide supervision and discipline. When parents do their part, it makes it easier for the schools and the children to do theirs.
Regardless of economic status or ethnicity, parents have responsibilities. When we fail to fulfill them, our children are the ones who suffer the consequences of our inaction. We are our children's first teachers and we are life-long teachers. Schoolteachers have our children for only a quarter, a semester, or a year; no longer than that. They are but a brief stop in our children's lives, if our school systems (MPSD/LCSD) are to reach their stated goals of producing successful students and adults, than we must partner with them because we as parents are ultimately responsible for our children.
Guess who wins when we partner with our schools in a positive way? Our Children Win!
“Get Involved."
Norbert D. Luster is president of Parents for Public Schools, Meridian, Lauderdale County Chapter.
