NCHS Develops Parental Involvement Program
It’s a proven fact: when parents are involved in their children’s education, children earn higher grades and tests scores, and they stay in school longer. New Caney High School is offering more opportunities to parents to better insert themselves into their child’s educational process and help achieve academic success. It starts with a seminar Monday, January 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the NCHS main auditorium.
Research by the U.S. Department of Education has shown there are many factors that create involvement barriers: lack of time on the part of parents, lack of parent education to help with school work, cultural or socioeconomic differences, parent attitudes about the school, and language differences between parents and staff.
”I don’t think it’s a lack of caring on the part of the parents,” says Susan Wheetley, School Support Improvement Coordinator for the high school. “Time is at a premium, because in these hard economic times many parents are working two to three jobs just to make ends meet. Also, many parents would love to help their children achieve success in the classroom, but may need guidance on how they can accomplish this.” To help parents overcome these obstacles, NCHS is starting a parental involvement program where the parents, school, and community will become equal partners in the education of children.
Wheetley is appreciative of those parents who do put in countless hours volunteering. She just hopes this seminar in January will provide an opportunity for even more parents to become involved. Josie Padilla with the Region VI Education Service Center will be the guest speaker at the seminar.
