Obama’s call for parent involvement

Since President Barack Obama assumed office two months ago, he's put forth an ambitious political agenda. High on his list: Improving education and urging parents to do their part.

As the president told a joint session of Congress last month, "There is no program or policy that can substitute for a mother or father who will attend those parent-teacher conferences or help with the homework or turn off the TV, put away the video games, read to their child. Responsibility for our children's education must begin at home."

This is a vital message — one that is at the core of the GreatSchools mission — and we're proud to be spreading it. Today we're telling the more than 1 million parents who subscribe to our newsletters about where the $115 billion in stimulus funding for education will go, how to read with their child and the top 10 things they can do now to heed the president's call of parent involvement. Here are some of the articles we're highlighting for our readers:

• Stimulus Bill Offers Schools Much-Needed Relief
• How to Read With Your Child
• Manage Your Child's Screen Time
• What Makes a Great Parent?

I'm interested in hearing from you. What do you think of the education allocations in the stimulus package? How should parents step up their involvement in their child's education?

Comments

[Dennis]

Hello,
As parents my wife and I are involved in the school and find the work a fulfilling way to connect with our children.

As I listen to the president's call for parents to become involved I wonder how many parents feel overwhelmed by a lack of direction. We say no child left behind but where are we taking them? What is the goal of education?

[Donald Moore]

Much is said about reading to your child. I learned this from my father, who did not have a BA in Education or any other degree. This is what he did for me and why I went into Kinder reading at a 1.5 grade level. I did this for my son and he was at the same level.

This is something that parents have done for YEARS that has worked.

D. Moore
Caldwell, ID