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Getting Ahead
Benefit from "No Child Left Behind"
By Sue Marquette Poremba
What can parents do to make sure that their child is one of the "smart kids" and not simply a good test taker? Get involved in your child's education, say educators. "A critical but seldom discussed part of the NCLB formula is the vital role of parents," says DeBroff. "Ironically, we are often the missing component in sweeping educational reform plans."
And getting involved won't label you a "pest," because your involvement is expected. Joyce Epstein, director of the Center on School, Family and Community Partnerships says that schools receiving Title I funds must "develop policies on partnerships and conduct programs that involve parents in ways that support student success in school. In addition, all schools must provide professional development to educators to organize effective partnership programs; help parents understand state standards and assessments; provide materials to help parents assist their children's achievement at home; and communicate using formats and languages that parents will understand."
But until parents understand what kind of education their child is getting under the auspices of NCLB, they cannot work to improve or to enhance the new requirements. That's a problem, says Galluzzo. "Parents aren't clued in," he says. Statistics seem to agree. According to the 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitude toward Public Schools, 62 percent of parents admit to knowing very little or nothing about No Child Left Behind.
One upside to educating parents about the changing middle school curriculums based on NCLB requirements is that it gives parents the opportunity to learn more about middle school expectations, both academic and social. Epstein sites in her paper, Meeting NCLB Requirements for Family Involvement