October 2013
Madison Public Schools
Matthew Mingle, Director of Curriculum
Why parents still matter—a lot
When students reach high school, their parents’ involvement often declines.
Parents of high schoolers sometimes tell themselves that they can’t really
make a difference.
But nothing could be farther from
the truth! Researchers have found that
parents’ beliefs and attitudes about
school have a major impact on their
teen’s school success:
• Parents who expect their
teens to graduate from high
school raise teens who believe
they will become high school
graduates.
• When parents believe
that their teens will continue their
education after high school, the
likelihood that their teens will go on to
college increases.
In other words, if you believe it, your teen can achieve it! So stay
involved in your teen’s edcuation throughout high school. Be sure she
does her homework every night (that’s still a way of helping her, even if
you don’t understand it) and stays organized. Stay informed about her
schoolwork by asking questions. And convey the message, over and over,
that you know she can—and will—succeed.
Source: E. Patrikakou, “Adolescence: Are Parents Relevant to Students’ High School Achievement and PostSecondary Attainment?” Harvard Family Research Project, http://tinyurl.com/yfa7mwt.
Offer a few study hints for math tests
Help your teen prepare for math tests by sharing these strategies for before,
during and after his test.
Before the test:
• Redo old problems from
homework or quizzes. Focus on
what you had trouble with.
• Create a “formula sheet.”
Write down all the formulas you
need to memorize.
During the test:
• Write down those formulas
right away. You’ll be less likely to
forget what you have memorized.
• Read the directions carefully.
Don’t lose credit for simply
forgetting to circle your answer!
• Take your time.
After the test:
• Check your work. Rework
any problem you were uncertain
about.
• Look for careless errors. Are
all of the decimal points in the
right place?
Read online reviews of
books for young adults
With so many books out there, it’s hard
to know what’s appropriate for your teen to read.
At Parental Book Reviews
(http://sites.google.com/site/
parentalbookreviews/home),
parents can read and post
book reviews. Take a look before
heading to the library.
Communication is key
to student success
You can play a big role in your teen’s
education just by keeping the lines of
communication open with:
• Your teen. Teens face a lot of tough
issues today. Let your teen know you’re
always available to listen.
• The school. Make sure you have
exchanged contact information with
your teen’s teachers. If they have
websites, check them regularly.
Show your teen what a
positive attitude looks like
A positive attitude will help your teen succeed
in school and in life. The best way to nurture
positivity is by showing your teen what it
looks like. Help your teen:
• Move on. Say your
teen didn’t make the
team. After some
disappointment, help
him put it behind him
for now. Don’t dwell on what
went wrong. Focus on what went well.
• Seek opportunities. Say your
teen loves animals. Encourage him to
contact veterinary clinics or animal
shelters and ask about volunteer or
employment opportunities.
Source: B.A. Lewis, What Do You Stand For? For Teens, A Guide
to Building Character, Free Spirit Publishing.
Copyright © 2013, The Parent Institute®, www.parent-institute.com
Foster respect at school
October 2013
Can my teen really study
while listening to music?
Q: My teen says he can’t do his homework unless he is listening
to music. I think it’s too distracting. I’d rather not keep arguing,
but if music is going to hurt his ability to study, then I’ll stick to
my position. Is he really learning if he’s listening to his music?
A: You are not the only parent who is having this conversation. Many teens
do at least one other thing while studying—whether it’s listening to music,
texting their friends or watching TV. Multi-tasking can cause real problems,
such as:
• Not being able to concentrate. Teens have to learn how to
concentrate —and they can’t concentrate when
there are three or four different things
competing for attention.
• Learning less and remembering
even less of what they did learn.
When people are distracted, they
have a much harder time learning
facts and concepts. (And most
homework does involve learning facts
and concepts.) In order to remember
things, teens have to pay attention
while they are learning.
So the key for homework is to find a way to
keep distractions to a minimum. For most students, listening to quiet music
is not too distracting. But say “no” to the TV, cell phone and social media.
Is your teen ready for a part-time job?
Teens often want a part-time job. It can be a good way to learn responsibility.
But it can also overwhelm their ability to focus on schoolwork. Are you and your
teen ready for her to take on a part-time job? Answer yes or no to the following:
___1. Does your teen show that
___5. Do you know how your
she can use time responsibly?
teen will get to and from
work?
___2. Have you set a limit on
the total number of hours
How did you do? Each yes means
your teen can work? Teens
you and your teen are prepared for her
shouldn’t work more than 20
to get a job. Discuss each no answer
hours a week.
with your teen before she gets a job.
___3. Does your teen know that
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if her grades suffer, she will
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have to quit her job?
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___4. Do you have a plan for how }T
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your teen will spend—and
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Being respectful is critical to success in
school and life. Remind your teen that the
same respect she shows at home needs to
carry over to school.
You can also:
• Set a good example. Even if you
disagree with someone, model ways to
disagree without being disagreeable.
• Ask how the school promotes civility.
Offer to help.
Source: G.D. McKay, J.L. McKay, D. Eckstein and S.A. Maybell,
Raising Respectful Kids in a Rude World, Prima Publishing.
Role models matter for teens
Surprisingly, teens often name their parents
as their biggest role model. Teens also list
other family members, teachers and coaches
as important role models.
Teens look up to people who:
• Have positive personality traits.
• Are encouraging of their goals for the
future.
Source: “Teen Role Models: Who They Are, Why They Matter,”
The Barna Group, http://tinyurl.com/ly8nwbg.
Motivating teens to do
unpleasant tasks
Some tasks, like taking out
the trash or studying Spanish
verbs, just aren’t fun—yet
they need to be done.
Motivate your teen to do
these things without nagging. Here’s how:
• Be up front. Studying verbs probably
isn’t at the top of his list, but it’s still a
task he must complete. Trash removal
isn’t fun, but it’s his responsibility.
• Be a role model. You teach by example.
When you do chores, your teen notices that
it’s important to fulfill obligations.
Source: L. Kutner, Making Sense of Your Teenager, William
Morrow and Company.
Copyright © 2013, The Parent Institute®, www.parent-institute.com
Helping Students Learn®
Published in English and Spanish, September through May.
Publisher: John H. Wherry, Ed.D.
Editor: Stacey Marin.
Staff Editors: Rebecca Miyares & Erika Beasley.
Production Manager: Pat Carter.
Translations Editor: Victoria Gaviola.
Layout & Illustrations: Maher & Mignella, Cherry Hill, NJ.
Copyright © 2013, The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc.
P.O. Box 7474, Fairfax Station, VA 22039-7474
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