It’s Report Card Time!!
The kids have been in school for a few weeks now. And by now they should have received an interim report card. If you were to receive an interim report based on how involved you have been in your child’s education, what grade would you receive?
A – Very Involved: You read and sign daily agendas and other written communications from the teacher, attend conferences, work with the children at home with reading and homework assignments, volunteer, attend field trips, stress the importance of education at home
B – Involved: You do everything that is listed above for Grade A, except you are not as actively involved with attending field trips or volunteering. You help with homework when asked.
C – Somewhat Involved: You sign the agendas sometimes. You kind of know what’s going on in the classroom. You help with assignments when asked. You may attend a few conferences.
D – Not Involved Enough: You hate when the teacher sends home homework, especially if it means you have to help. You might attend back to school night at the beginning of the year. If you don’t, then the teacher probably will not meet you.
F – Not Involved At all: You are glad school started so that the kids can give you a break for a few hours a day. You don’t know what is going on at school and don’t care. You don’t know who your child’s teacher is.
You may not agree with my grading scale (because I made it up.) However, the point is to get you to think about your level of involvement in your child’s education. Studies show that kids that have involved parents have better grades, have less behavioral problems and are more likely to pursue higher education. And the more that the parents are actively involved, the higher the child’s achievement. According to a study done by Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, achievement benefits are even greater when parents are actively involved such as volunteering, supporting school activities, and attending field trips.
Based on the scale above I would give myself a A-/B+. I am very good and consistent when it comes to reading agendas, helping with homework, and reading with my kids. However, I need improvement when it comes to volunteering, attending field trips, and being involved in the PTA. I volunteered once last year in the Christmas gift store and I went on one field trip. Therefore, I am committed to increase my active involvement this year (i.e. – field trip and volunteering in the classroom.) And yes, I have a fulltime job. And yes I have four kids (two school age kids, 1 toddler, and a baby.) And yes, I am tired after work just like the next mom. But my kids are worth it.
BMWK Family it’s interim report card time. This is a reminder “To Be a Beast for your Family” (in the words of Rev. Run.)
BMWK Family: What grade would you give yourself? Do you volunteer in your child’s school or classroom? If you are teacher or work in education, we would love to have your input on this matter. Help us improve on the grading scale above so that we can use it at the end of the semester to track our progress.
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