To Make Summer School More Successful, Communicate With Parents

Submitted by Judy Hanning on Wed, 2017-08-02 03:00
Family involvement is often a key ingredient in student success as well as a factor that schools take seriously. However, while parental interaction is often encouraged throughout the school year, it’s not unusual for it to fall off the radar during summer months, not withstanding the fact that even in summer time there are students in school who might benefit from parental involvement in their summer time curricula.

Many school districts that prioritize family engagement during the school year do not invest in reaching out to families during summer school, particularly given the short time-frame and the limited number of students served.

One particular school district found a convenient and inexpensive way to keep parents abreast of their summertime students’ activities. Parents of summer school students received every week messages, detailing their student’s progress in brief, but specific, sentences. In all, each family received four messages. Though a seemingly simple act, the messages kept parents in the loop, allowing them to remain an active part of their student’s school life, even during summer.
“Many school districts that prioritize family engagement during the school year do not invest in reaching out to families during summer school, particularly given the short time-frame and the limited number of students served.”
~ Education Week

Key Takeaways:

1
Summer school can be a successful experience for everyone involved. Students can enjoy their experience and work to complete ongoing goals.
2
Communicate with parents as soon as summer school begins. Show off projects for class and talk about grades achieve. That could direct parents to get help for students that are failing.
3
Keep track of grades during summer school as well. Teachers offer grades to provide feedback to students in class. Summer school typically features a short duration.
Read the full article here:
http://www.readingrockets.org/news/make-summer-school-more-successful-communicate-parents