In recent years, we have been treated to tons of articles and comments about how we need better teachers in our schools. There is no question that a great teacher can make a huge difference in a student’s achievement, and we need to recruit, train, hold and reward more such teachers. Parents more focussed on their children’s education can also make a huge difference in a student’s achievement.
How do we do this? Every three years, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or O. E. C. D., conducts exams as part of the Programme for International Student Assessment, or PISA, which tests 15-year olds in the world’s leading industrialized nations on their reading comprehension and ability to use what they have learned in math and science to solve real problems – the most important skills for succeeding in college and life.
To better understand why some students thrive taking the PISA tests and others don’t, Andreas Schleicher, who oversees the exam for the O. E. C. D., was encouraged to look beyond the classroom. So, starting with four countries in 2006, and then adding 14 more in 2009, the PISA team went to the parents of 5,000 students and interviewed them “about how they raised their children and then compared that with the test results” for each of these years. Two weeks ago, the PISA team published the three main findings of the study:
“Fifteen-year-old students whose parents often read books with them during their first year of primary school showed markedly higher scores in PISA in 2009 than students whose parents read to them infrequently or not at all. The performance advantage among students whose parents read to them in their early school years is evident regardless of the family’s socio-economic background. Parents’ engagement with their 15- year-olds is strongly associated with better performance in PISA”.
Schleicher explained that “just asking how your child how was their school-day and showing genuine interest in the learning they are doing can have the same impact as hours of private tutoring. It is something every parent can do, no matter what their education level or social background”.
For instance, the PISA study revealed that “students whose parents reported that they had read a book with their child ‘every day or almost every day’ or ‘once or twice a week’ during the first year of primary school had markedly higher scores in PISA 2009 than students whose parents reported that they had read a book with their child ‘never or almost never’ or only ‘once or twice a month’. On average, the school difference is 25 points, the equivalent of well over half a school year”.
Yes, students from more well-to-do households are more likely to have more involved parents. “However”, the PISA team found “even when comparing students of similar socio-economic backgrounds, those students whose parents regularly read books to them when they were in the first year at primary school, score 14 points higher, on average, than students whose parents did not”.
The kind of parental involvement matters, as well. “For example, on average, the score point difference in reading that is associated with parental involvement is largest when parents read a book WITH their child, when they talk about things they have done during the day, and when they tell stories to their children”, the PISA study noted. The score point difference is smallest when parental involvement takes the form of simply playing with their children.
These PISA findings were echoed in a recent study by the National School Boards Association’s Center for Public Education, and written up by the Centre’s director, Patte Barth, in the latest issue of The American School Board Journal.
The study called “Back to School: How parent involvement affects student achievement”, found something “somewhat surprising”, wrote Barth: “Parent involvement can take many forms, but only a few of them relate to higher student performance. Of those that work, parental actions that support children’s learning at home are more likely to have an impact on academic achievement at school.
“Monitoring homework; making sure children get to school – and on time; rewarding their efforts and talking up the idea of going to college. These parent actions are linked to better attendance, grades, test scores, and preparation for college”, wrote Barth. “The study found that getting parents involved with their children’s learning at home is a more powerful driver of achievement than parents attending P. T. A. And school board meetings, volunteering in classrooms, participating in fundraising, and showing up at back –to – school nights”.
The obvious criticism that could be placed at the foot of this research is that it was done in a culture that is significantly different from our local situation here in Dominica. Nonetheless, these findings are no different from those provided some 12 years ago when I researched “male underachievement in Dominica”.
To be sure, there is no substitute for a trained, good teacher. There is nothing more valuable than great classroom instruction. But let’s stop putting the whole burden on teachers. We also need better parents. Better parents can make every teacher more effective!
This is an excellent commentary. It is down-to-earth and to the point. Children need good parenting. Those parents must take an interest in their children and their studies. How often that children are neglected in this manner and are left on their own to study and some parents do not take the time to ensure that they have done their homework and conduct themselves appropriately while at school?
There are some parents who think that their children can do no wrong and do not appreciate it if the teachers speak to them about their children’s attitude during school.
Gone are the days when parents cooperated with teachers and had respect for them and their position. I do hope all is not lost in this respect.
It would be a good idea to conduct a research and ask the children about the manner in which they are nurtured. Bet their answers would be interesing and also suprising.
Mr. Bruno this is an incredible article.. It is quite timely I must say.. Parents really need to take up their responsibilities and stop leaving their children’s education solely to teachers ..Thumbs Up!
Some of the parents are fighting against the teachers who are trying to get them more involved in their children’s learning.
I like this article. The sad thing though is ; those who really need to learn from it will not read it. As a matter of fact most of these people will not take the time to read. The talk shows are their ‘thing.’
Sadly, you are correct.
Including, spending time to view soap operas and sports. They have nothing more constructive to talk about. It also appears that it is a worldwide situation.
The home is where it all begins! We do need better parents.
excellent article. I can attest to the fact that parental involvement does not require a high IQ. I recall when I would make use of the time driving home with my children to ask them how their school day was. that is how I found out what was happening in their classroom. I know for a fact that they valued this(they let me know).
I quite agree that we parents need to also play our role in our children’s education. My mom never finished primary school but she assisted us with homework all the way to 5th form. It in important that we set aside at least 1 hour per day to assist our children with their school work or even if it is just to go over what they did at school on a given day. Remember the teacher has many other children who need and deserve their attention too. So, let us all play our part in helping our children succeed.