Unit 1

The Benefits of Parental Involvement

Activity 1Parents, A Key Component

For Educational Success

When Parents Are Involved in Their Children’s Education

• Children improve their academic performance.

• Children develop a positive attitude towards learning.

• Children are able to learn a second language at a faster rate.• Children tend to behave well in school.• Children are less likely to drop out of school.

• Children have higher graduation rates.

When Parents Are Involved in Their Children’s Education

• Children accomplish higher enrolment and completion of a degree in college

• Parents, teachers and children improve their relationships.

Unit 1The Benefits of Parental Involvement

Activity 2Ten Minutes Can Make

a Difference in Your Child’s Life

Have You Experienced a Similar Situation?

• Have you experienced a similar situation?

• What did you do?

• What was the result of your action?

Source: Basterra, Maria del Rosario, October 2000. Promoting the Involvementof Latino Parents in Montgomery County Public Schools. Final Report. Copyright© The Mid-Atlantic Equity Center, 2002.

I think it is very important to be involved. For example,sometime ago they (school staff) told me that my

daughter needed support in mathematics and that they were going to place her in a less advanced class. I was not in agreement with this. My daughter told me she knew her math. I went to the school and talked to the teachers. I made sure that my daughter continued in advanced classes. I knew she could do well. And, she is doing well! You need to go and talk to the teachers. I feel very fortunate because I can talk to them. Sometimes you only need ten minutes.

Those ten minutes can make a difference in your child’slife! - Parent, Montgomery County Public Schools

Ten Minutes Can Make a Differencein Your Child’s life

Advanced Placement The Road To College Success

Equity

Excellence

Opportunity

For All Students

Unit 3Advanced Placement The Road To College Success

Activity 1

The Job Market:

A Changing Landscape

College Pays Off:

• 70% of the 30 fastest-growing jobs will require an education beyond high school.

• 40% of all new jobs will require at least an associate’s degree.

• Total college-level job openings between 1990-2008 will nearly equal number of college educated entrants to the workforce.

Unit 3Advanced Placement The Road To College Success

Activity 2

The Advanced Placement Program:

Nuts and Bolts

Advanced Placement

• Advanced Placement is a program that allows academically capable students to take college courses while still in high school.

• Advanced Placement is a vehicle for creating Equity and Access by opening up to ALL students the instruction needed to be successful in college

What Are the Benefits of Taking Advanced Placement?

• Students are academically superior at the time of entry to college

• They are more likely to maintain high standards of achievement throughout college, to specialize in majors with more demanding grades and standards, and to graduate with double major.

• They are superior in terms of broad criteria of college success such as leadership and significant accomplishments

Pre-AP Building Equity And Success

• Pre-AP classes help a large number of students to have access to demanding AP courses and to achieve at higher levels as they acquire in a timely, systematic, and coordinated way the essential academic and thinking skills.

• The goal of Pre-AP classes is to provide opportunities to all students to engage in learning experiences that reflect more complex and in-depth understanding.

• Pre-AP classes enable teachers to detect student potential at an earlier age and to increase the inclusion of students in AP programs and to ensure their post-secondary success.

College Access Degree Completion

Rewarding Career

• What can students do to achieve academic success?

• What can schools do to establish community and parents involvement?

• What can parents and families do to help?

Equity and Access to Pre-AP classes from 5th through 10th grade for all students

Equity and Access to AP classes and tests in 11th and 12th grade for all students

What Can Schools Do To Help?

What Can Schools Do To Help?

Effective outreach to parents and communities has the

following characteristics:

• Programs are consistently offered and supported by principals and administrators

• School personnel has scheduled time and training to work with families and community

• Roles and responsibilities for educators and parents are defined

• Information about school programs shared with parents in a timely and effective way

What Can Students Do?

• Take challenging courses• Get involved• Do the work• Read• Avoid delay • Get the college-bound facts• Involve family• Get help• Confront personal roadblocks

Unit 3Advanced Placement The Road To College SuccessActivity 2

Supporting Your Child’s Academic Achievement

What Can Parents Do To Help?

• Set clear priorities for studying and learning in the home environment

• Communicate to children high expectations for their education and future careers

• Become involved in their children’s school

What Can Parents Do To Help?

Setting Clear Priorities• Provide quiet time for homework and

reflection after school• Supervise homework• Make sure their children get enough rest• Turn TV and videogames off during the

week• Encourage children to read

What Can parents Do To Help?

Communicate High Expectations• Encourage children to take Pre-AP

courses in school• Support and encourage their children as

they struggle to achieve• Express the importance of high

achievement in middle and high school for future success in college

What Can Parents Do To Help?

Become involved in children’s school • Learn about academic courses offered in

school• Keep in touch with their children’s

counselors • Check carefully course selection during

scheduling• Keep in touch with their children’s

teachers

Unit 4Activity 1

Helping My ChildEnroll in AdvancedPlacement Courses

The Importance of Parental Involvement in Education Decisions

• Parental advice has a significant impact on deciding what courses to study in school

• Parental encouragement has an important role in children’s plans to continue their education beyond high school

• Students with greater levels of parental involvement are more likely to take advanced courses

Resources

Website Addresses:http://collegeboard.com click on Parents http://www.doe.state.de.us click on Advanced Placement

DOE Contact Persons:Julia Webster, Advanced Placement CoordinatorTelephone No. 302 735-4260E-mail: jwebster@doe.k12.de.usDennis Rozumalski, Guidance ServicesTelephone No. 302 735-4260E-mail: drozumalski@doe.k12.de.us