Editorial: Parents have to be prepared for the school year

By: Naeem Mcfadden | SCNOW
Published: August 14, 2009

The three Marion County School Districts have already opened their doors in preparation for the 2009-2010 school year.

This past week, students started registering for classes and more than a few seniors have struck a pose for glossy senior picture photo shoots.

Marion County students return to school on Aug. 17. Hopefully, after taking advantage of the tax-free weekend sales opportunities, parents have rounded up the clothing and various supplies needed for school.

Pre-registration gives students, parent and guardians a chance to pay fees, pick-up schedules, meet administrators and teachers before normal open house activities. Quite a few students have taken on the responsibility of working summer jobs to help acquire school necessities.

However, it will be the parents that will have to play a major role in making sure their child is ready to tackle the responsibilities associated with work in the classroom.

Ronald F. Ferguson, senior lecturer in education and public policy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, said parents can play a key role in improving their children’s education. According to Ferguson’s commentary on cnn.com, helping parents become more involved and doing their best needs to be as big as a priority as achieving excellent schools.

There are plenty of demands on teachers and school administrators to reach goals, whether it involves standardized testing or graduation rates. However, to bridge those achievement gaps, parents have to make school activities a priority and make learning an everyday practice.

“I am talking about changes in mindsets and lifestyles … a movement to achieve excellence with equity,” he said.

Ferguson encourages more reading at home as a start.

That means more time devoted to reading and less watching television, or as some folks say often, television watching the kids.

Ferguson also points out that family support makes a difference in shaping a child’s academic outcome, which means that if parents constantly stress the importance of learning, then it’s more likely their child won’t sleep through the courses or worst, dropout.

It’s critical that parents take an active role with encouragement and pay close attention.

During a speech at the July 24 Marion County NAACP Branch Freedom Fund Banquet, Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter said parents aren’t demanding excellence from their children.

This school year parents need to be more vocal about those demands and take advantage of the assistance provided by local schools to help their children reach beyond the basic measures.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t be too busy to lend a hand. Everyday is an opportunity to learn and improve.