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Family Involvement at School
July 8, 2010 Updated Jul 8, 2010 at 4:03 PM EDT

Although the teenage years are a time of ever-increasing independence, a new study from Harvard shows that what will help teens succeed at school are the same people they're trying to distance themselves from: Their parents. According to a study by the Harvard Family Research Project, High School and Middle School kids whose parents are involved at their school have higher self-esteem, less behavior problems and make better grades. Kurus Jamison, a Guidance Counselor, adds that "When you go to the schools and you visit the children, it puts the message in their head that you know if Dad is saying it's important, it's important to me." Steven Creel, another Guidance Counselor agrees that "I think the results of that is a child who, or student who is better socially, who performs better in school and is better behaved."
Experts say getting involved can be simple, just check up on their homework, attend PTA meetings, or volunteer at special events. In other words, "Find a link. Whether it's a teacher you can talk to, a guidance counselors that you can go, I would encourage any parent who wants to become involved to do so, no matter what the cost," says Cathie Banks, an Academic Advisor.
Experts add that family involvement matters for school success for every child of every age.

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