The parents of some ninth-grade students in NYC are spending their evenings this fall doing something they thought they had left behind long ago: homework. The ninth graders complete their assignments during class; the parents are supposed to write their responses either on an online blog created by the teacher or through hand written journal entries.
The point is to keep parents involved in their children’s’ education well into high school. Studies have shown that parental involvement improves the quality of the education a student receives, but teenagers seldom invite that involvement. Some parents say they like the assignments because they can spark intellectual conversation with teenagers who are normally less than communicative; others are more resistant because at the end of a long work day, the last thing they want to do is homework.
Experts say that while many elementary school teachers ask parents to write letters introducing their children at the beginning of the school year, few teachers subject parents to a weekly regimen of reading and writing. Apparently these teachers are hoping to fix that.
The point is to keep parents involved in their children’s’ education well into high school. Studies have shown that parental involvement improves the quality of the education a student receives, but teenagers seldom invite that involvement. Some parents say they like the assignments because they can spark intellectual conversation with teenagers who are normally less than communicative; others are more resistant because at the end of a long work day, the last thing they want to do is homework.
Experts say that while many elementary school teachers ask parents to write letters introducing their children at the beginning of the school year, few teachers subject parents to a weekly regimen of reading and writing. Apparently these teachers are hoping to fix that.
5 comments:
That's all good if the parents know the material too. I would guess that part of the problem in Peoria is that the parent's don't know much more than their kids. Junior may need help with algebra but mom n dad don't know their algebra either. So junior is left with no one at home to help him. Mom n dad didn't do so well in school so they aren't much help to junior.
Throw in a healthy dose of apathy, drugs, crime, unemployment, underemployment, and well the cycle continues.
Ninth grade is a little late to start this kinda thing. A big portion of what we are working with kids on in school is metacognition...that is, "Yes, that's the answer, but tell me how you arrived at that answer.
Funny, I'm writing a paper about this topic right now :) Parent involvement makes such a huge impact on a child's education, regardless of the parent's educational attainment. One study I just read today found that mothers with low academic achievement tended to have children with low academic achievement as well (no surprise). But, parent involvement in the child's academic career completely mediated this outcome, showing academic achievement that was commensurate with the child's academically on-target cohorts. I have the utmost respect for parents that engage in their child's education. These are the parents that really get it! :)
Primary school is the time for parents to get involved and provide structure and guidance. By 9th grade students should be more or less operating independently and seeking assistance, be it from a parent or teacher, as needed.
Brooke, great input! IMO creating the right environment and expectations in the home are as important as being able to actually assist with the homework. If a parent is involved and knows when his or her child is struggling with a subject, even if they cannot directly offer help, they can seek out someone at the school that can. I always tell my kids that “showing up” is the first step to success. An important part of successful parenting is simply being a constant presence in your children’s lives.
I know that all parents do not have computers and/or access to the Internet. I have had almost no experience with preschool and primary school children. However, since I retired I have been working the children of close family friends. I am amazed at how many great sites are on the web--for teaching preschool and primary schools. I do believe that the schools need to do more to help educate parents as to how to help their children (telling them about these sites would be a great help). I have long believed that the high schools should take advantage of their captive audience: many teen-age parents sit in 150 classrooms every day.
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