Why Be An Involved Parent?
Thirty years of research confirms that when families are involved in their children's education:
- Children earn higher grades
- Receive higher scores on tests
- Attend school more regularly
- Complete more homework
- Demonstrate more positive attitudes and behaviors
- Graduate from high school at higher rates
- Are more likely to enroll in higher education than students with less involved families
Are you an involved parent?
Take this quiz to see how you score
1. |
YES NO |
Do you make sure your student completes his/her homework? |
2. |
YES NO |
Are you a member of the PTA/PTO in your school? |
3. |
YES NO |
Do you make sure your student reads everyday? |
4. |
YES NO |
Do you volunteer at your child's school? |
5. |
YES NO |
Are you on the CSC committee? |
6. |
YES NO |
Do you regularly attend parent/teacher conferences? |
7. |
YES NO |
Do you participate in parent trainings/workshops? |
8. |
YES NO |
Do you attend family nights such as literacy and math? |
9. |
YES NO |
Are you involved in the school improvement plan? |
10. |
YES NO |
Do you communicate regularly with your child's teacher? |
11. |
YES NO |
Do you know the reading level of your child? |
12. |
YES NO |
Do you call the attendance line when your child is ill? |
13. |
YES NO |
Are you on the interviewing committee at your school? |
How to score your quiz
Questions 1, 3, 6, 12: if answer is yes, give yourself a 1 for each question
Questions 4, 7, 8, 10, 11: if answer is yes, give yourself a 2 for each question
Questions 2, 5, 9, 13: if answer is yes, give yourself a 3 for each question
Score Totals: 0 - 4 = Emerging; 5 - 12 = Developing; 13 - 26 = Exemplary
Differences in Education System in the United States & Mexico
In an effort for parents from many different backgrounds to be engaged in their child's education, it is important to understand what the expectations are in the education system in the United States. Then it is helpful to be aware, particularly for immigrant families, how those expectations differ from their native country. This way, as parents, you are clear as to what is expected of you. Following is a comparison put together by the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition comparing the systems in the U.S. and Mexico. The intent of this is not to generalize nor diminish either education system, rather to help educate and find common ground.
Student Expectations
- In Mexico students must pass a test to go the next grade level
- In Colorado, students pass from grade to grade whether or not they have acquired the skills necessary for that grade
Curriculum
- In Mexico, the curriculum is a rigorous National Curriculum used by all schools. Students have textbooks.
- In Colorado, the curriculum is based on the Colorado State Standards. Each school district decides what curriculum to use.
Learning Strategies
- In Mexico teaching methods differ from teacher to teacher and school-to-school but students do sit in rows and work independently. Students are expected to have great respect for their teachers - which has been passed on from generation to generation.
- In Colorado, teaching methods also differ from teacher-to-teacher and school-to-school but many teaching strategies are based on research - that implies that students work better in small groups, sharing ideas.
Homework
- In Mexico, homework is an important component of learning. Homework is assigned to:
- Practice what a student has learned
- To inform parents of what a student is learning in school. Textbooks and supplies are taken home by students everyday to complete their homework
- In Colorado, teachers determine their own homework policy textbooks are rarely sent home. Students may be given a copied math page from a textbook, as homework.
Grades
- The schools in México use a numerical system:
ie: 10 = A, 9 = B, 8 = C, 7 or 6 = D, 5 = F - In Colorado, Denver Public Schools is moving to a standards based system. During the year they will receive a score of 1,2,3,4 indicating whether they are on track towards proficiency of State Standards. Students will receive an end of year assessment indicating whether they have achieved proficiency of the state standard. A 3 indicates your child is on track to reaching proficiency of State Standards. A 2 indicates they may need intervention to reach end of year proficiency. A 1 indicates they will definitely require extra support and intervention to receive end of year proficiency. A 4 indicates they are way ahead of where they would be expected at that point in time. These most closely correspond to end of year measures of proficiency: 4=Advanced, 3=Proficient, 2=Partially Proficient, 1=Unsatisfactory.