Parent’s Matter!!Active parental

involvement through careful consistent monitoring “from the sidelines” can

be a critical factor in promoting good

grades and positive life choices (Falbo, Lein, &

Amador, 2001).

A Time for Change Middle school

students are in a stage of emerging independence, emotional turmoil, shifting social pressures, and a desire for peer acceptance (Feirsen, 1997). Not a good time for parents to go MIA….

Straddling the World of Dependency & Independency

Adolescence is a time when students are straddling the world of being a child while at the same time moving toward developing independence.

“I’m Not A Baby Anymore!”

That drive to be independent can confuse parents into thinking they are not needed.

GivingSPACEThere are many ways to be involved that do not stifle your child’s need for autonomy.

Take Initiative Middle school parents

often rely on middle school students as the primary resource for finding out about school news; but, there is a need for parents to take initiative to seek out opportunities for involvement in the middle grades (Baker, 2000).

Discreet Control

Parents can discreetly take initiative to stay informed by using the school website to get updates about conference night, school events, mid-term reports, and report card distribution dates.

Stay informedParents should also become acquainted with “Edline” passwords and check grades weekly for test scores, homework deadlines and missing assignments. Use Fridays as a day to review the week and reward success or remediate areas needing improvement.

Use the School

WebsiteEmails for Administrators, Teachers, Coaches.Important Dates: conference night, school events, school sports info, mid-term reports, and report card distribution dates.

Put Family First

While friends are important the family needs to be first. The family has an important and significant impact on children’s development at any age, but it is particularly relevant during the teenage years.

Understand Attention Seekers

At the same time teenagers striving to become more autonomous, they are seeking attention and direction. When students act out it can often be traced to peers, family issues or stress.

Support & MentorshipCritical to Success

Unfortunately, there is a

misunderstanding that in

developing their

independence, they need less adult guidance

and participation.

The fact is, the opposite is true because young adults benefit tremendously from continued support and mentorship but it needs to be developmentally appropriate and relevant to their needs (DePlanty, Coulter-Kern, & Duchane, 2007).

Quiet Heroes

Some parents take a low profile approach and like to define school involvement as interactions within the home context, such as talking with their children about their educational experiences, accomplishments, and future goals (Kerbow & Bernhardt, 1993).

This discreet approach to

school involvement has been described

as “invisible strategies” and is vital to student achievement

(Auerbach, 2007).