CHALLENGING IDEAS FOR ACTION-ORIENTED DADS
from Dr. Ken Canfield & the NATIONAL CENTER for FATHERING
Copyright 1999 National Center for Fathering
Reprinted with Permission

Getting Involved in your Child's Education

In the News ...
An estimated 55 million children (not including college students) are returning to school in the coming days--if they haven't already. It's a natural time for fathers to re-commit themselves to being involved in their children's lives. But studies have shown that often the commitment doesn't last. A 1997 Department of Education study showed that only 27% of the dads they surveyed were considered "highly involved" in their children's education (compared to 56% for moms). They rated dads as "highly involved" if they participated in at least three of the four following activities: attending general school meetings, attending regular parent-teacher conferences, attending school or class events, and volunteering at the school.To

Think About ...
For fathers, this can be an unsettling time. Will Melissa get caught up in all the popular fads of the day? Will Michael be threatened by a bully? These are legitimate concerns; and there are bigger ones: alcohol, drugs, violence, premarital sex. What about the changes in school curricula, and the declining test scores in many of today's schools? What if a teacher is unfair, inexperienced, or incompetent? We should be concerned about these things, but the solution is not despair--it's involvement. Dads, we need to get involved in our children's schools. Schools need and welcome fathers who are willing to chaperone, sponsor, monitor, assist, and help in other ways. And we shouldn't be afraid to voice our concerns to administrators and teachers. Often, they'll be more willing to listen if we're actively involved.

In the Trenches ..
.Like many of you, the school year snuck up on us here at the Center. As our children gear up for a new year (and some head off to college), our lives may become more complicated than ever. Many of us will be adjusting our schedules so we can participate in the various school kickoff events and get involved in our children's education.

Action Point for Commited Fathers
1. Get to know your child's teacher and express your support for what he/she does. Make sure the first meeting isn't over a problem.
2. Talk with the whole family about establishing a homework routine. Be sensitive to each child's unique learning style and clear some time each weeknight so you can be involved.
3. As much as you can, adjust your schedule so you can participate in your child's school activities. If you're an employer, be more understanding about unusual work hours during these next few weeks.
4. Determine to maintain a positive attitude when talking to your child about school. Keep pointing out the good things to help him get past whatever anxiety he has.
5. See our website for more practical ideas on getting involved with your child's education. Click on "practical tips," then "dads of school-age kids" or "dads of adolescents."
6. Order an "Adventures in Fathering" booklet by phone or from our website. Look for "Exploring the World Together - for dads of school-age kids" and "Thriving in Times of Change - for dads of adolescents."
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