1 Helping Your Child Succeed in School Tips from Research and Teaching Ronald Dietel Tracy Hughes Cynthia Keech Karen Mathison National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing at UCLA La Cañada Unified School District National PTA Convention Anaheim, CA June 27, 2004

2 Factors Pushing Higher Achievement Major Events Education Crisis State & National Policy Corporate University Competition Schools National & International Test Performance

3 What Influences Achievement Parents Education Student Achievement Teacher Quality High Expectations Parent Income Parent Involvement Quality Curriculum Monitoring & Feedback School Climate Leadership/ Professionalism

4 Get Smart Learning Model Home Learning Schools & Teachers Ability Classroom Learning Effort Attitudes/ Beliefs Evaluation Communications

5 Ability  Achievement influenced, not determined by ability  Factual Knowledge  Application  Tips  Ask Questions  Use Prior Knowledge or Skill  Reinforce Learning  Concentration  Praise

6 Effort  Strong influence on achievement  Tips  High expectations  Exemplify motivation yourself  Establish value/use novelty  Associate with other motivated students  Apply strengths  Plan ahead/chunk work  Praise persistence and effort

7 Attitudes/Beliefs  Positive attitude --> student achievement  Tips  Emphasize effort, not intelligence  Provide learning opportunities that promote positive self-belief  Encourage safe risks  Educate children about school realities/imperfections  Point out previous successes  Never shame them  Be there when they need you

8 Schools  Good schools and teachers-->achievement  Shop for a school as you would shop for a home--go inside  Develop criteria that match your children’s needs  Teacher quality  School leadership  School programs  Safety/Discipline  Parent Involvement

9 Teaching  High quality teachers  Certificated  Years of teaching experience  Subject matter expertise  High expectations  Student assignments & feedback  Low absentee rate  Love of teaching and students

10 Classroom Learning  High parent expectations/rigorous classes  Attendance  Know standards and curriculum  Know what counts  Promote student organizational skills  Promote student listening skills  Self-monitoring/getting help

11 Home Learning  Reading --> gateway skill  Early childhood  Homework  Avoiding over commitment  Effective study skills  Inertia effect  Connect learning to real world

12 Evaluation  Your own sense as a parent  Teacher feedback (formal and informal)  Test scores  Report cards  Social development

13 Communications  The Problem  Tips  Avoid pressure  Find time and place that works  Emphasize effort, not achievement  Listen, not lecture  Second chance  Emphasize choice

14 Get Smart Learning Model Home Learning Schools & Teachers Ability Classroom Learning Effort Attitudes/ Beliefs Evaluation Communications