Family involvement in a child’s learning is critical to his/her success from preschool through college. Learning should take place not just in the classroom, but at home where family plays an active role. Parents can support their children’s schooling by attending school functions and responding to school obligations (i.e. parent-teacher conferences). They can become more involved in helping their children improve their schoolwork–providing encouragement, arranging for appropriate study time and space, modeling desired behavior (such as reading for pleasure), monitoring homework, and tutoring their children at home.
Outside the home, parents can serve as advocates for the school. They can volunteer to help out with school activities or work in the classroom. Or they can take an active role in the governance and decision making necessary for planning, developing, and providing an education for the community’s children.