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Supporting Online Learners' Success
Children and teens need parent support to achieve academic success.
Parents Are Key to Student Success
Researchers have found that — for all family income levels — students with involved parents are more likely to:
- Earn higher grades and test scores
- Enroll in advanced classes and programs
- Pass their classes, earn credits, and be promoted to the next grade level
- Attend school regularly
- Have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school
- Graduate and go on to postsecondary education
Parent involvement is just as important for online learning as it is for in-class learning. Children and teens are still developing mentally and emotionally. Some of the skills young people are developing are critical to achieving academic success in online learning. These include:
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Understanding computer technology
- Academic learning strategies
- Effective time management
- Critical problem solving
- Persistence and self-motivation
Some students will already have these when they begin an online course or program. Others will need to develop these valuable skills.
Parents can promote good study habits and attitudes by modeling them and providing structure for students at home.
Parents' Checklist for Supporting Student Success
- Encourage your child and give positive feedback.
- Allow your child or teen to ask you for help.
- Encourage your teen to contact his or her teachers rather than having you do it for them.
- Become familiar with the curriculum. Work with your child or teen to develop a study schedule.
- Model good time-management strategies. This might include following a personal schedule or creating a daily "to do" list. Help your child to use these strategies.
- Talk with your child or teen about the appropriate ways to communicate with teachers and classmates.
- Make sure your child has basic typing and computer skills.
- Evaluate your child's level of self-motivation. Talk about the many advantages of getting an education and earning a degree.
- Check your child's progress by using the methods the school provides (like a parent portal website). Talk directly with your child about his or her progress and grades. Check in with the teachers periodically.
- Provide study space at home with few distractions. Make sure it has good lighting, comfortable seating, a working computer, and good wrist support.
- Never hesitate to call or write to school staff when you have questions or concerns.
