ARENT

OWER

BUILD THE BRIDGE TO SUCCESS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Parent Power

Build the Bridge to Success

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Communications and Outreach

2010
U.S. Department of Education

Arne Duncan

Secretary

Office of Communications and Outreach

Peter Cunningham

Assistant Secretary

June 2010

This report is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in 

whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint this publication 

is not necessary, the citation should be: U.S. Department of Education, 

Office of Communications and Outreach, Parent Power: Build the Bridge 

to Success, Washington, D.C., 2010.

To obtain copies of this report:

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Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304.

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available in your area, call 1-800-872-5327 (1-800-USA-LEARN).

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Department’s Alternate Format Center at 202-260-0852 or 202-260-0818.
1

Parent Power:

 Build the Bridge to Success

To parents, we can’t tell our kids to do well in school 

and then fail to support them when they get home. 

You can’t just contract out parenting. For our kids 

to excel, we have to accept our responsibility to 

help them learn. That means putting away the Xbox 

and putting our kids to bed at a reasonable hour. It 

means attending those parent-teacher conferences 

and reading to our children and helping them with 

their homework.

 —President Barack Obama, July 17, 2009

 

President Obama has a cradle-to-career plan to reform 

our nation’s schools. He also is calling on parents to take 

responsibility for their child’s success. His vision includes 

the belief that all children can and will succeed, and that 

parents are the bridge to this success. You as the parent, 

guardian or caregiver can help your child by connecting 

with his or her school to find out what’s needed to ensure 

success and how you can help reach that goal. Studies of 

successful schools report that parent involvement is a major 

factor in their outcomes, including closing the achievement 

gap between various groups of students. With his vision, the 

president is asking that you make education a priority and a 

legacy for your family. 
2

How can you accomplish this? By adopting the following 

principles and taking the steps indicated for each age group, 

you will be able to help your child learn at each step of the 

way and ensure success in school and in life.

Be responsible.

Accept your role as the parent and make education a priority 

in your home.

Be committed.

Once you have begun to work with your child, continue 

doing so throughout the year.
3

Be positive.

Praise goes a long way with children, especially with those 

who struggle in school. Provide positive feedback.

Be patient.

Show your child that you care through your commitment 

and encouragement.

Be attentive.

Stop your child immediately when bad behavior appears. 

Show him or her what to do and provide an opportunity 

to do it correctly. Discipline should be appropriate and 

consistent.

Be precise.

Provide clear and direct instructions.
4

Be mindful of mistakes.

Record your child’s performance. Look over all the work your 

child brings home from school and keep it in a folder. Help him or 

her correct any errors.

Be results-oriented.

Gather information on how your child is performing in school. 

Keep notes of conferences with teachers, request progress reports 

and carefully read report cards and achievement test results. Ask 

questions about these results. 

Be diligent.

Work from the beginning to the end of the year with your child 

and the teacher.

Be innovative.

Keep learning lively and dynamic.

BE THERE.

Just be there for your child–to answer questions, to listen, to give 

advice, to encourage and to speak positively about his or her life. 

Be there to support your child whenever needed.
5

Ensure That Your Child Is Ready to Learn

Make sure your child’s:

a Physical needs are met 

with a healthy diet, 

enough sleep and 

rest, exercise and good 

medical care; 

a Social and emotional 

needs are met;

a Confidence, 

independence and 

cooperation skills are 

built;

a Discipline is 

appropriate and 

consistent;

a Play is stimulating;

a Questions are answered;

a Caregiver or preschool teacher has books to read to your 

child and does read to your child every day; and 

a Day is filled with different learning activities.

PRESCHOOL

 You also can 

be part of your child’s 

educational experience 

by teaching and reinforcing 

the skills your child needs and 

enhancing those taught in the 

classroom. Using the following 

checklists, you can help your 

child be a successful student 

from preschool through 

high school. 
6

Know what your 

preschooler needs.

Babies need:

a Loving parents or 

caregivers who 

respond to their cries 

or noises;

a To feel safe and 

comfortable;

a To hear and make 

sounds;

a To move around;

a To be able to play in 

safe areas; and 

a To play with safe 

toys.

Toddlers need:

a Activities that allow them to use their muscles;

a To experience their senses and develop language skills;

a To work with their hands;

a To learn to do things for themselves;

a To play with other children;

a To continue to learn about their movements; 

a To build their vocabulary;

a To learn about their surroundings; and 

a Opportunities to make choices within limits that you set. 
7

Introduce babies and toddlers (birth to 2 years) 

to language.

a Talk to your baby or toddler often. Talk to your infant 

during feeding; look at family photographs and tell your 

child about the pictures; or tell the baby what you see out 

the window—a bird, bus, cars.

a Show your baby things, name them and talk about them.

a Encourage babbling or your toddler’s trying to say 

words.

a Sing songs and read nursery rhymes.

a Read aloud each day, even if it’s just for a short time.

a Have your child handle books—books made especially 

for babies or toddlers, such as interactive books (lift-theflap or touch-and-feel). This will help your child with 

motor skills and language development.

Introduce young children 

(3-5 years) to language.

a Talk to your young 

child often and 

encourage your child 

to speak by asking 

questions and talking 

about what happened 

during the day.

a Show your child new 

things, making sure 

you name them, and 

teach your child new 

words every day.

Every 

child is different. 

Know your child’s 

unique talents, skills, 

abilities and special needs. 

Children can enjoy learning 

and possess a healthy curiosity. 

Take advantage of learning 

opportunities. Use the 

checklist as a guide to 

lead your child to 

success.
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a Read aloud each day, even if it is just for a short time.

a Teach your child the alphabet.

a Check your local public library for books made especially 

for 3- to 5-year-olds. 

4- and 5-year-olds need:

a More books, games and songs;

a Chances to 

do science, 

math and art 

activities;

a To build their 

self-reliance 

and language 

skills; and

a To become 

aware of 

the world 

and people 

around them. 
9

Lead Your Child on the Path to Success

Before the school year begins, find out about the school 

your child will attend.

a Visit the school.

a Visit a 

classroom in 

the school.

a Get a copy of 

the school’s 

parent 

involvement 

plan. 

a Volunteer, 

for example, 

to be a room 

parent, 

organize a 

winter coat 

drive, help 

out on test 

day or be 

a reading 

coach.

a Ask the 

principal for 

the school’s 

report card.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
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Communicate with teachers.

a Find out the best time to contact them by telephone.

a Ask for the teacher’s e-mail address.

a Find out about Web sites where teachers may list class 

notes and homework assignments.

Parent-teacher conferences are important.

a Be prepared to listen, talk and take notes.

a Write out your questions before you meet with the 

teacher.

a Ask for specific information about your child’s work and 

progress. 

a Review what the teacher has told you and follow up by 

talking with your child.

a Check back with the teacher regularly to see how things 

are going as the year progresses. 

Know that counselors:

a Can help if there are problems at home, such as divorce 

or illness, which could affect your child’s schoolwork;

a Have information about achievement tests and can 

explain what the results mean; and

a Can tell you what tutoring services are available. 
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Make sure your child continues to read.

a Set a special time each day for reading aloud together.

a Encourage your child to read to you when he or she is 

ready.

a Let your child see you enjoying reading.

a Use audio books that you and your child can listen to 

together and have your child follow along with the 

written words in the printed book.

a Play communication games with your child, such 

as Scrabble or Pictionary, which involve words and 

explaining what they mean.

a Practice day-to-day reading and writing, such as 

following a recipe or writing a note.

a Continue to check with the teacher and the pediatrician 

about your child’s language development. 
12
13

 MIDDLE SCHOOL

Be There for Your Child in the Formative Years

Transitioning

a Help your child transition from elementary to middle 

school. 

a Discuss the concerns he or she may have before starting 

middle school, such as learning from many teachers, 

getting to class on time, finding his or her locker, 

getting on the right bus, knowing where the cafeteria 

is, navigating crowded hallways and doing more 

homework. 

a Talk to your child 

about the physical 

and social changes 

and the social 

pressures that often 

occur in the middle 

school years. 

Parental involvement

a Communicate often 

with your child, 

the teachers, and 

the principal, vice 

principal or both. 

a Visit the school. Be 

knowledgeable about the place where your child learns. 

The 

middle school 

years are a time of 

transition: emotional, physical, 

social and academic. Your support 

and involvement are essential at 

this stage of your child’s growth. 

Research shows that pre-teens 

do better in school when their 

parents are involved in 

their lives. 
14

You may want to ask the following questions of your 

child’s teachers:

a Is there a transition program for students leaving 

elementary school and entering middle or junior high 

school?

a Are counselors available who can help your child 

transition to middle school?

a Are teachers and principals accessible to parents?

a When are the parents’ nights, sports and art events, 

and other times when parents are invited to visit the 

school?

a When can parents volunteer at the school?
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a Help your child organize a schedule.

a Help your child set goals with a time limit for completing 

particular tasks.

a Listen to what your child tells you and is really saying 

between the lines. Be sensitive to any fears your child 

might have. Sometimes it is helpful to reserve comments 

and actions until you have facts about a situation and 

know how your child thinks and feels about it.

a Discuss peer pressure. 

a Communication is the key to being helpful to your child 

in the pre-teen years. 

a Welcome and get to know your child’s friends. 

a Become aware of physical and emotional changes in your 

child. 

Reading in the middle school years

Reading is an important part of the middle school years. 

Many of the subjects your child studies in middle school 

involve much more reading than in elementary school. 

Check with your child’s school counselor to see what your 

child’s reading level is. If your child reads below grade 

level, check with the school to see what additional reading 

programs are available to help improve your child’s skills. 
16

Looking to the future

Help your child focus on preparing academically for high 

school and college. Encourage your child to take challenging 

classes. You may want to ask your child’s teachers these 

questions:

a Will the classes your child takes help him or her be 

competitive in college and the work world?

a Is your child having trouble in any classes?

a What tutoring programs are available?
17

a Does your child have good study habits? Does he or 

she read what is necessary to complete an assignment? 

hand in assignments on time? prepare ahead of time for 

assignments and tests instead of cramming at the last 

minute?

a Does your child have the supplies needed to complete 

assignments?

Preparing financially for college

The U.S. Department of Education has a resource to help 

you determine the financial commitments you will need to 

make for your child’s education beyond high school. The 

FAFSA4Caster, at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov, can help you 

calculate college costs before your child applies to college. 

And, when your child is ready to apply for financial aid, we 

make it easier for you to learn how much financial support is 

available to your family and how to apply for aid. 
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19

 HIGH SCHOOL 

Get Your Child Ready for Work and for Life

Serve as your child’s best coach and mentor. 

a Foster your child’s independence, and continue to be 

aware of and support your child’s studies and afterschool activities. 

a Continue to stay involved with the school as your child 

progresses through high school.

Know what your high school child needs to succeed.

a Look for programs designed to help students succeed 

in college and in a career–those that teach study skills, 

provide tutoring to enhance skills and knowledge and 

help students choose the right courses to succeed. 

a Provide structure. Show your child how to manage time 

for studies, activities, friends and family.
20

Keep on reading.

a Continue to make 

sure your child is 

reading. 

a Buy or make 

available books 

in which your 

child may have an 

interest. Students 

who have more 

reading materials 

available to them 

read more and do 

better in school.

Partner with teachers 

and counselors.

a Get to know your 

child’s teachers and 

High 

school is 

the training ground 

for college and work. Help 

prepare your child for college 

by encouraging him or her to take 

challenging courses, such as English, 

math (in particular algebra I and II, but 

also geometry, trigonometry, and calculus), 

foreign language, science (biology, 

chemistry and physics, for example) and 

history or social studies. To help prepare 

your child for work, you and your child 

should meet with the school guidance 

counselor to choose the best courses 

based on your child’s career 

interests.

counselors. 

a Continue to attend open houses or parent nights at 

school to meet your child’s teachers.

a Request parent-teacher conferences when you think they 

are needed. 

Communicate with teachers.

a Find out the best time to contact them by telephone.

a Ask for teachers’ e-mail addresses so you may contact 

them outside of school hours, as teachers are usually not 

available during school hours.

a Find out about Web sites where teachers may list class 

notes and homework assignments.
21

Know that counselors:

a Handle class registration and schedules;

a Can help if there are problems at home, such as divorce 

or illness, which could affect your child’s school work;

a Have checklists of how to apply to college and where to 

get college financial aid; and

a Can tell you when college entrance exams are given, 

especially the SAT and the American College Test (ACT). 
22

Consider safety.

a Pay attention to your child’s behavior and friends.

a Tell your child to leave valuables at home and to keep 

belongings locked up, as theft is the most common school 

crime.

a Be aware if your child’s grades drop or if your child is 

sad or angry.

a Talk to your child about any concerns you may have.

a Consult with counselors, social workers, school 

psychologists or others trained in and helpful with 

solving adolescents’ problems.
23

Stay involved with the school. 

Be informed through your school’s parent-teacher 

organization and the school newsletter or Web site. 

Continue to be an advocate for your child and other students 

in the process.

Tips on paying for college

Loans, grants and work-study aid are available for lowincome students through the Federal Student Aid program. 

The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2010–11 award year 

is $5,550.

When your child turns 18

Be aware that when your child turns 18 years old or enters a 

college or university at any age, the rights under the Family 

Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) transfer from you to 

your child. You may become informed about this law at http://

www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html.
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Resources

The following resources for parents are available from the 

U.S. government and other organizations.

General Education Information

U.S. Department of Education 

www.ed.gov

1-800-USA-LEARN (toll free)

Resources for Parents

Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs)

http://www.taalliance.org

Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRC) 

http://www.nationalpirc.org

Help With Homework or School Projects 

Free Resources for Educational Excellence

http://www.free.ed.gov

Schools

Public and private schools, colleges and libraries 

http://www.nces.ed.gov/globallocator

Reading

National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)

http://www.nifl.gov/

Preschool

Ready to Learn TV

www.pbs.org/readytolearn
25

High School

Federal student 

financial aid

www.fafsa.ed.gov

Postsecondary 

Education

www.college.gov

Local Resources 

for After-school, 

Tutoring and 

Mentoring 

Programs

Contact your 

libraries, 

neighborhood 

churches, sororities 

No government policy will make 

any difference unless we also hold 

ourselves more accountable as 

parents—because government, 

no matter how wise or efficient, 

cannot turn off the TV or put away 

the video games. Teachers, no 

matter how dedicated or effective, 

cannot make sure your child leaves 

for school on time and does their 

homework when they get back 

at night. These are things only a 

parent can do. These are things that 

our parents must do.

—President Barack Obama

and fraternities, and organizations, such as your local 

National Urban League, 100 Black Men, YMCA and YWCA, 

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, for such services as computer 

access, literacy programs and educational activities.


The Department of Education’s mission is to promote 

student achievement and preparation for global 

competitiveness by fostering educational excellence 

and ensuring equal access.

www.ed.gov