My adult children would probably say that Laura and I were ‘involved’ parents, especially in education. We ‘inspected what we expected’ in and out of the school. We taught our children three R’s (not relying on the public schools alone), personal discipline, worked to give them the tools to help them succeed (whether it be an athletic shoe or a computer) and hung around together after dinner in case they had questions about anything. We are far from perfect parents, but we are proud of who our children have become.
One picks up the news and hears about educators (adminstrators) complaining about ‘helicopter parents’ ( read ‘involved’ parents) and then — by contrast — the NEA (National Educatioal Association) points to a review entitled: “Study suggests parental influence determines success of low-income, urban students.” ( from an email NEA newsletter.)
To be fair, the NEA points to the study to try to explain that the difference in scholastic success between public and private schools (private schools being better) is due primarily to ‘parental influence’ (‘involvement’). The study shows student success in public schools is possible, if the parents have ‘influence.’ I found it interesting that the study used the rather passive word ‘influence’ rather than the more interventionist word “involved.’
Parents, I guess, are still supposed to ‘know their place.’
So, if you decide to keep your children in public schools -as we did- stay ‘involved’, ensure they get a better education than what they would normally get without you, give them all the tools to succeed… and be there when they need you. Oh yes, don’t be afraid of criticism from the schools… it’s the price you pay today for their success tomorrow.
Roger Freberg
