1. Listen NEA president on state of No Child Left Behind

   13min 57sec

• Lily Eskelsen Garcia: President, NEA

The nation’s main education law, which for more than a decade has been known as N……………. continues on Minnesota Public Radio News

The research is clear: parent and family involvement in education correlates with higher academic performance and student achievement. According to the Parent Teacher Association, research shows that when families are involved, students have higher grades and graduation rates, better school attendance, and increased motivation and self-esteem. Family participation is twice as predictive of academic success as family socioeconomic status. When families and schools work together the result is improved schools, stronger families and increased student achievement.

Strong family and school partnerships require constructive, two-way communication, as well as a cohesive framework that conveys clear expectations. When families participate in school activities, they gain a clear understanding of what is expected of their child at school. Likewise, when families and teachers engage in open dialogue, it generates continuity between the two dominant spheres of influence in a child’s life, home and school. Perhaps even more importantly, family involvement in schools communicates to children the value of education.

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