Parents' Involvement in Kids' Education

Originally posted by wittywonka
The study didn't conclude that parents don't have the capacity to be supportive in a way that actually leads to meaningful improvements in their children's education. Rather, it supported the claim that parents on the whole just aren't doing that great of a job at it.

Educational studies tend to show nothing works. I've read many times that the educational benefits of Head Start programs disappear after a few years. I still would send my kids to pre-school.
I have seen studies that show that states which have more access to contraception have the same level of unwanted pregnancies as states that restrict access. I still believe we should teach sex education and not restrict access to contraception.
Alcohol and drug rehab (a different type of education) have tremendous failure rates. I still believe people with substance problem should try to get help.

Simply whenever one tries there is always a possibility that they will not be successful. I'd always recommend that parents keep trying. Most parents went to school so they often can supplement. Even if parents do not know anything about the subject matter, they can tell if homework or a project is done with care. They can help kids organize their notebook. They can see if their kids took notes in class. They can find out if the teacher liked a project or if the kids did well on test. I'd do these things because I believe, regardless of this study, that these actions make a difference.
Some people seem to conclude that parents might as well give up or everything they do is statistically insignificant. I just believe that parents, as a whole, should try again.

Originally posted by no1marauder
http://www.ericdigests.org/2000-3/home.htm

Of course, the home schooled population is a skewed demographic as the article states. Nonetheless, there seem to have been many studies done which validate norm's statement.

The wiki article on homeschooling also states:

Numerous studies may suggest that homeschooled students on av ...[text shortened]... i/Homeschooling#Test_results

and discusses the evidence and possible explanations.

One of the boogeymen which is applied to homeschoolers is that they are a self selected group. Same as the objection that private schools 'cherrypick', or that charter schools have more involved parents, at least involved enough to get their kids in. Oh, that's kind of what we're discussing.

One of the most famous high schools in America was Dunbar HS, Washington, DC following the Civil War, which admitted only black students. High standards regardless of low parental education levels, and finances.

Originally posted by quackquack
Educational studies tend to show nothing works. I've read many times that the educational benefits of Head Start programs disappear after a few years. I still would send my kids to pre-school.
I have seen studies that show that states which have more access to contraception have the same level of unwanted pregnancies as states that restrict access. ...[text shortened]... y do is statistically insignificant. I just believe that parents, as a whole, should try again.

I agree with your point that those who don't try have failed already. This however doesn't justify spending unlimited money on programs with almost no level of success.

I believe that most parents send kids to preschool to get the other parent back to work. If someone wants to pay for that, I have not objection.

Studies on contraception and sex education almost always have biases and ignore factors relevant to the study. Any successes in Drug and Alcohol rehab programs is due to the few self motivated people in them. I wonder is the cost is ever justified for the few successes which could happen outside of State run programs.

Originally posted by normbenign
I agree with your point that those who don't try have failed already. This however doesn't justify spending unlimited money on programs with almost no level of success.

I believe that most parents send kids to preschool to get the other parent back to work. If someone wants to pay for that, I have not objection.

Studies on contraception and sex ed ...[text shortened]... e cost is ever justified for the few successes which could happen outside of State run programs.

I certainly agree that we need to look at the cost of all programs and see if the benefits justify the costs. I only commented on parental involvement in their kids education by interacting with their own kids. The cost to society is zero, there is no interference with the education system in place and parents can benefit their kids. Thus, I don't believe it should be controversial to say that parents should make sure kids do homework, see how they do on tests, projects etc.

Originally posted by quackquack
I certainly agree that we need to look at the cost of all programs and see if the benefits justify the costs. I only commented on parental involvement in their kids education by interacting with their own kids. The cost to society is zero, there is no interference with the education system in place and parents can benefit their kids. Thus, I don't bel ...[text shortened]... l to say that parents should make sure kids do homework, see how they do on tests, projects etc.

I believe there is fear that parents will not arbitrarily follow the decided agenda of government knowledge, for example feminism, gay agenda, global warming/cooling, saving whales and other environmental issues, and the sticky matter of religion and how it conflicts with "approved" ideas. Basic caring and insisting that the kids do the work and stay away from other kids who are negative influences, are what parents can do.

Originally posted by normbenign
I believe there is fear that parents will not arbitrarily follow the decided agenda of government knowledge, for example feminism, gay agenda, global warming/cooling, saving whales and other environmental issues, and the sticky matter of religion and how it conflicts with "approved" ideas. Basic caring and insisting that the kids do the work and stay away from other kids who are negative influences, are what parents can do.

I believe for every drop of rain that falls a flower grows.
I believe
I believe
So that settles it then

Originally posted by finnegan
I believe for every drop of rain that falls a flower grows.
I believe
I believe
So that settles it then

Very convincing and relevant.

Originally posted by normbenign
I believe there is fear that parents will not arbitrarily follow the decided agenda of government knowledge, for example feminism, gay agenda, global warming/cooling, saving whales and other environmental issues, and the sticky matter of religion and how it conflicts with "approved" ideas. Basic caring and insisting that the kids do the work and stay away from other kids who are negative influences, are what parents can do.

the decided agenda of government knowledge

I have to wonder which government you have in mind here, given that it is Americans who elect their government.

feminism

Do you want girls included in education? What should they be taught about their status and their opportunities both in education and in life? Should they have any education about their own bodies and should they have any education about the choices available to them in that respect?

gay agenda

Really? What do you have in mind here? Should it be a requirement that all children and young adults are respected and free from bigotry? Should teenagers who are gay or lesbian be protected in the school environment and free from bullying? What about educating children with same sex parents - should they be educated to respect or to despise their parents? If you want nothing on this topic whatever, just how flipping naive and innocent do you imagine school children are? If you teach nothing can you assume they will know nothing?

religion and how it conflicts with "approved" ideas

Like evolution do you mean? Do you think schools should instead teach creationism and in that case may we assume you will be looking to other countries to produce enough doctors, biologists and scientists for America's future needs? In exchange, America can export missionaries and bibles I imagine. That'll work. If you propose government protection of the crackpot ideas of fringe Christian elements, such as creationism, what will you say to Catholics and those of other Christian sects as well as other religions who reject creationism, endorse evolution and want their children to learn intelligent science?