PARENTS HAVE BIGGEST ROLE IN EDUCATION

Parental involvement is an essential ingredients to a child's success at school.

Youngsters whose parents take an active interest and a guiding hand in their child's education are more apt to succeed. And this parental involvement can begin at birth with Missouri's successful Parents as Teachers program.

Many area schools are holding parent-teacher conferences in the coming days. Children may revel in a day out of school. But parents should consider these conferences a real opportunity to receive valuable input on their children's educational progress.

Each conference typically lasts 15 to 25 minutes. Teachers and parents discuss not only the child's academic performance, but their social behaviors as well.

These conferences provide invaluable face-to-face insight for both parents and teachers.

It is important that both parents and teachers approach these sessions with honesty and openness. This approach will ensure the greatest measure of effectiveness.

But parents should also realize that conferences are just that: an opportunity to interact. Parents who take a proactive approach will more likely walk away with a greater understanding of their child's needs and abilities.

Some suggested questions that parents can ask teachers include:

-- What are my child's strengths and interests in school?

-- Are there areas that need strengthening?

-- What are your expectations for how much time my child should spend on different kinds of homework?

And most importantly: How can I help my child?

Frank Ellis, principal of Alma Schrader Elementary School, offers wise counsel about parent-teacher conferences. He suggests that teachers must be willing to tell the truth to parents -- whether it be good or bad. In turn, said Ellis, teachers must be prepared to offer solutions to parents. It is practical advice for all teachers.

A conference should be just that -- two-way communication between parent and teacher for the betterment of the child.

But it all starts with the parents' presence. Parent-teacher conferences should be placed at the top of the priority list each and every year. There is simply no substitute for parental support in achieving quality education.