If you ask parents to monitor a learning activity, give them specific directions. If you want them to read with their children, host a family reading night and arrange for your reading specialist to demonstrate effective ways of having children read and also of reading to children. Include some time for family groups to read together and provide refreshments. Give parents positive feedback. Students aren't the only people who respond well to positive feedback.
Parents like to know when their actions are getting good results.
They need to know their efforts are noticed. One word of praise from their children's school can make them work even harder because they know their efforts are paying off and are noticed. Iowa Association of School Boards 700 Second Avenue, Ste.