Although moving to a
new city offers a new
beginning, it also presents
a fresh set of challenges.
Many decisions
will need to be made about what is
best for you and your family, especially
your children, in this time of change.
As a parent, one of the most important
things you can do for your children
during this transitional time is to
make sure they have a solid support
system. And perhaps the two most
important parts of their lives will be
you, the parent, and their school. Getting
involved in your child’s education
unites these two aspects, easing your
child’s transition into a new life.
To many, parental involvement
means attending a class field trip or
volunteering in their child’s classroom
for a day. Although these
types of participation certainly contribute
to a child’s educational success,
there are many other ways to
get involved—and getting involved
doesn’t always mean going to the
school. Getting involved also means
encouraging education at home as
well as getting to know your child’s
school. Research consistently shows
that it’s important for parents to get
involved in their child’s education.
And as a parent, perhaps one of the most important benefits of gettinginvolved is feeling more confident in
your child’s learning environment.
Indeed, there is much evidence to
support the idea that parental involvement
improves a child’s academic
achievement and contributes to future
life successes. The National Education
Association, the nation’s largest
professional employee organization, is
dedicated to improving the country’s
education system, from preschool to
college. The NEA says a home that
supports learning is more important to
academic achievement than income,
education level or cultural background
and that parental involvement results
in fewer absences, improved behavior
and increased educational success.
Similarly, the National Coalition
for Parent Involvement in Education
(NCPIE), a national organization
devoted to advancing parental involvement
in education, credits parent participation
with increasing a child’s grades
and test scores and improving his or her
social skills. Students with parents who
are actively involved also are more likely
to enroll in higher-level courses and
attend a post-secondary school. Parent
participation also increases a child’s
self-esteem and motivation—benefits
that not only contribute to academic
success, but to other life successes.
However, the child, of course, is not the only one
who benefits from a parent’s involvement. Participation
also benefits the parents. For example, if participation
leads to higher grades, improved test scores
and better school attendance, then a parent’s confidence
in his or her child’s school increases, which
is particularly important to those relocating to a new
city. In addition, involvement may strengthen the
bond between parent and child because parental participation
may initiate parent-child discussions, especially
about school. Parents also have a higher self-esteem
when involved in their child’s education because
when the child is more successful, the parent feels as if
he or she is making a valuable contribution to this success.
By helping their child with school, parents may
also advance their own skills and education level.
Clearly, it is important for parents to participate in
their child’s education. But, as a parent, how can you
participate—and how can you find a school that welcomes
this participation? There are many ways to get
involved—both at school and at home. Of course, parents
can act as chaperones on class field trips or volunteer
in their child’s classroom. They can help with
fund-raisers, class parties and field days; offer to be a
guest speaker in a classroom; grade assignments; read
with students in the classroom or library; or assist with
a school performance or play by making costumes or
painting scenery. Some schools may have committees
that need parent representatives. But there’s more to
parent participation than volunteering at school.
It’s just as important—some believe it’s more
important—for parents to get involved in their child’s
education at home. At-home participation is important
for students of every age, but it perhaps becomes more
important for middle and high school students who
often do not want their parents to go to their school.
No matter the age, always let your child know you are
interested in his or her education and that success in
school matters to you. Give your child a curfew on
school nights as well as on weekends; ask your child
about his or her day at school; read with your child;
check homework every night, making sure your child
understands the assignments; provide him or her with
a quiet place to study; and help your child stay organized
by setting regular times to complete homework
as well as working out a schedule to help your child
avoid last-minute preparation. Sue Ferguson, chair of
NCPIE, says one of the most important things parents
can do at home is to make sure their child gets
to school each day. Make sure they have their books,homework and projects, and then take them to
school, or make sure they get on the bus. Of course, as
your child gets older, he or she may require less direct
involvement, but always let him or her know that you
value education by asking about school.
Beyond volunteering at school or encouraging education
at home, getting involved in your child’s education
ultimately means finding the right educational
environment for your child by getting to know potential
schools and what they have to offer. To begin your
search, visit Web sites such as the Georgia Department
of Education and the U.S. Department of Education
to find schools in your area. To narrow down
your choices, peruse area publications such as the
Atlanta School Guide (770-992-0273), which offers
detailed information about public and private schools
in Metro Atlanta. Contact potential schools for open
house dates so you can get further insight by touring
the school—be sure to ask for a handbook. You can
also search school Web sites for more information—
many sites have a parent resources section.
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During your search for the right school, take note
of programs schools might offer to encourage parental
involvement. For example, The Heritage School in
Newnan offers open houses during the week rather
than the weekend. Admissions Director Julie Knott
says, “This gives parents a more accurate representation
of the environment their child will be in. Parents are
also invited to observe a classroom.” Heritage also
offers a Parents as Partners program, where a new family
is paired with a current family, allowing new parents
to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the
school. Notre Dame Academy in Duluth offers a similar
program for potential new students. The potential
student can shadow a current student so he or she
has a better idea of what to expect when attending
the school. When getting to know your child’s new
school, be sure to find out how the school measures
a child’s progress as well as how that progress is communicated
to parents—because getting involved also
means communicating with the school.
Find out whether you can request regular meetings
so you can stay informed about your child’s
progress. Will you be able to ask the teacher any
questions you may have about your child? Take the
opportunity to email your child’s teachers if this
option is available. Some schools may offer innovative
programs to further communication between
parents and the school. Marietta City Schools provides
an online program where parents can monitor
their child’s grades and academic history. MCS also
uses a program called Connect-ED, which allows
school principals and administrators to reach all the
parents in the school district within minutes, with
one phone call. The system is used to notify parents
when their child is absent; to remind them of parent-
teacher conferences or state testing; and to alert
them in the event of an emergency.
There are many ways to get involved in your child’s
education beyond volunteering at school. Research
different types of parental participation so that you’re
aware of your options. Visit Web sites of reputable
sources such as NEA, NCPIE or the National Parent
Teacher Association to find ways to get involved. Ask
co-workers and friends for suggestions. Most importantly,
ask potential schools how parental involvement
is encouraged. And if you’re like many parents
who work during the school day, you may not
be able to participate in every opportunity available.
But by finding the best school that allows you to get
involved in the ways you can, you’ll have more confidence
in your child’s success at school as well as in
his or her future.
