Moreover, the effect of that involvement will be maximized if parents and teachers work together toward common goals. It is important for parents to understand the system the teacher is using to assign and evaluate homework, as well as the methods being used to teach mathematical concepts. Helping children with homework can be counterproductive if parents are working at cross purposes with the classroom teacher. The professional mathematics education community is in the process of making changes in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and in the level of parent involvement. Teachers are being asked to incorporate manipulatives and technology into their instruction, and programs are being developed that incorporate parental involvement in reaching these goals.
Programs often emerge from special needs.
Many of the programs in the resource list below address the need to improve the participation and achievement of females and minorities in mathematics. All, however, stress the indispensable part that parents can play in nurturing success in mathematics for their children. Colorado State Department of Education. A handbook for parents. Parents can help children learn mathematics.