Smart Parents
We spend a lot of our time creating and sharing resources for educators and parents (who are often one and the same audience). Time and time again, we observe that families are left out of the equation when it comes to determining the primary audience for education reports, papers and articles—even though they are among the hungriest for informed opinions that can help them. Smart Parents is a blog series for parents, by parents who are navigating educational opportunities + making powerful decisions for and with their students. Learn more in Smart Parents: Parenting for Powerful Learning.
Beat the Summer Slide with Project-Based Learning
To avoid the dreaded "Summer Slide" with students, parents can harness the positive energy we all associate with summer break by helping children find educational projects around their own choices and interests.
You Can Thank Mom for More than the Meal Itself: 15 Tips for Family Dinner
On Mother's Day, let's thank mom not only for the food she prepares with love, but the extra boost to educational success that sitting down to family meals provides to children.
My Inspiration to Carry on a Legacy
Karla Phillips has spent many years encouraging high expectations for all children. However, as the mom of a special needs daughter, she also realizes the need to see all children with limitless potential as we continue the legacy of advocates helping students with special needs fulfill dreams.
Who is THE Expert: Parents or Teachers? Both?
By: Arina Bokas. Many educators believe parents should trust them as trained experts who know what's best for their children. Many parents believe educators should trust them as the experts when it comes to their children. So who is the actual expert here?
4 Parent Engagement Strategies for English Language Learners
By: Meriwynn Mansori. It takes time and effort to nurture relationships with the families of English language learners. But as parents understand you as an advocate for their child’s success, your investment will pay off.
Helpers or Co-Creators? Core Dispositions in Family-School Partnerships
What school and district leaders, and consequently, teachers, believe about parents, their aptitudes and roles in learning, will translate into their actions and reactions towards parents. New dispositions have to be nurtured to form a mindset of partnerships.
5 Keys to Forging Strong Parent Engagement
When Maurice (“Mo”) Green became superintendent of NC’s Guilford County Schools, one of the first things he did was to embark on a listening tour. He heard the same message over and over again: Focus more on parent engagement.
5 Ways for Smart Parents to Plan and Implement Intentional Time & Margin
In Smart Parents: Parenting for Powerful Learning intentionality is listed as one of the key qualities of smart parents. Smart parents are “intentional about creating powerful learning experiences.” Here are five ways smart parents can plan and implement intentional time and margin.
Why Children Who Play Succeed
Health researchers have finally documented what veteran teachers have long understood: A young person’s social competence is a major driver of future success. In other words, children who play well with others do better in life.
Grade Level What?
By: Jim Goodell. It’s not new that high schools determine a student’s grade level based on credits earned rather than age or cohort. What is new is the growth in options that allow student to advance at their own pace and earn college credit while in high school.