by A.L. Cato

Created on: September 14, 2008

Few would question the advantage that positive parental involvement can give a teenager in reaching academic success. For concerned parents, however, the practical details of effective educational involvement might not be so obvious. Willingness to help is certainly the first step, but actually knowing what to do is the necessary second one.

Before mapping out a detailed course of action for getting involved with your teen's education, there are a few basic principles that should be considered. First of all, your teen is far more likely to be successful in school if you get involved in his education long before he is a teen. If you have been absent from your child's learning experience thus far, get involved now, no matter how old he is, because your participation will almost certainly bring some improvement whenever it begins. Be warned, though, that you can't expect significantly higher grades to come quickly and easily. Often, as teens struggle to get and keep first jobs, to learn to drive, to win peer (and self) acceptance and to control those raging hormones, very little energy remains for caring about academics at all, a situation that certainly doesn't lend itself to a quick rise from poor grades to the head of the class.

Also, you must find a middle course between lacking interest and being too demanding.
Let your teen know that you expect her to put forth her best effort, but don't hold her to unrealistic expectations. Know your child's abilities and weaknesses. Praise her whenever you can, and not just for good grades, but also for a good effort and for noticeable improvement. Realize that not every child can be the valedictorian. Focus on your teen fulfilling her own personal potential and be proud of her for it.

Now, you're ready to get involved. What exactly do you do? To help your child make the most of his education, educate yourself, and keep up with what's going on. Go to school activities, like orientations and meetings of the parent/teacher association, so you can get to know your school's teachers, counselors and administrators. Find out what is expected from your teen by the school in general and by each of his teachers. Learn what academic paths your school offers, such as college preparatory and vocational, and consult a school counselor to ensure that your teen is on the best course for his needs, goals and abilities. Talk to your child, and his teachers if necessary, to keep informed about school assignments, projects, papers and tests.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>