The Importance of Taking an Active Role in Your Child’s Education: A Story of a 6th Grader Struggling with Reading
As a teacher, I’ve encountered many different students, each with their own unique strengths, challenges, and learning needs. But sometimes, I meet a student whose story serves as a powerful reminder of why parents must take an active role in their child's education—whether their child is thriving or struggling.
Let me share a story about a 6th grader I recently worked with. This student, let’s call him Max, was reading at a 1st grade level despite being in 6th grade. It’s a heartbreaking situation, but it’s not an isolated one. Max has a chronic health condition that causes him to miss a significant amount of school, which has played a major role in his academic struggles. When he’s in class, however, Max is a model student—he is well-behaved, he copies everything written on the board, and he tries his best. Yet, due to his inconsistent attendance, he’s missed a lot of foundational instruction, and this gap has significantly hindered his ability to progress.
What struck me the most was how easily Max’s difficulties had gone unnoticed by his elementary school teachers. Because he was quiet, behaved well, and managed to copy material on the board, no one truly realized the extent of his reading struggles. Unfortunately, when a child is able to mask their difficulties and get by with minimal disruption, it can be easy for them to slip through the cracks.
However, while Max’s school may have missed the signs, we cannot excuse his parents for allowing this to happen. Parents have a critical responsibility to understand their child’s academic proficiency and ensure they are receiving an adequate education. The situation Max faced didn’t happen overnight, and it wasn’t just a result of missed school days. It was a combination of factors: lack of early intervention, missed opportunities for support, and, most significantly, a lack of involvement in his education from those who should have been advocating for his academic progress—the parents.
The Importance of Parental Involvement in Education
Max’s story is not unique. In many cases, parents may not realize the extent of their child’s academic struggles, especially when the child behaves well in class or avoids drawing attention to their challenges. That’s why it’s so important for parents to take an active role in understanding their child’s academic needs. Teachers and schools cannot always provide the level of individualized attention every child needs, and even if a child is masking their struggles in school, it’s the parents who have the power to recognize these issues early on and intervene.
Parents Have a Responsibility to Understand Their Child’s Academic Proficiency
It’s not just about showing up for parent-teacher conferences or asking how a child is doing in school. Parents must regularly check in on their child’s progress—whether that’s by reviewing their homework, looking at their grades, or simply talking to them about what they’re learning. This gives parents an opportunity to catch problems early and address them before they become more significant.
Take Max, for example. If his parents had regularly checked his reading level, discussed his schoolwork with him, or had a conversation with his teachers about his academic performance, they might have realized much earlier that he wasn’t meeting the reading expectations for his grade. The sooner they had identified this gap, the sooner they could have taken steps to support him, whether that was seeking additional tutoring, working with the school for extra support, or helping him at home.
Parents are their child’s first advocates, and they should be proactive in making sure their child is receiving the proper education. If a child is struggling in an area like reading or writing, it’s not enough to wait until a report card comes home or to assume everything is okay because the child is quiet and well-behaved. The responsibility lies with the parents to ensure their child isn’t falling behind.
Ensuring Adequate Education: A Partnership Between Parents and Schools
Parents are not alone in this effort—teachers, schools, and counselors also play vital roles in a child’s education. But it is crucial for parents to understand that their involvement is necessary to ensure their child’s academic success. Parents need to be aware of what their child is learning, how they are progressing, and whether they are receiving the support they need.
When parents take the time to understand their child’s academic proficiency, it opens the door to creating an effective partnership with the school. If a child has gaps in their learning, the school can work with the parents to provide additional resources or specialized help. If a child is struggling with attendance due to illness or other factors, parents can work with teachers to ensure that the child doesn’t fall behind and that any missed lessons are made up.
But this partnership must start with parents taking an active interest in their child’s education. It’s not enough to wait until the problem is too big to ignore or assume that things will work themselves out. Parents should be consistently involved and proactive, checking in with teachers and advocating for their child’s needs.
Final Thoughts
Max’s story is a poignant reminder of the importance of parental involvement in a child’s education. As a parent, you have the power to shape your child’s academic journey and ensure they are receiving the education they deserve. By understanding your child’s academic proficiency, advocating for them when needed, and working with the school to address challenges early on, you can help them succeed—no matter what obstacles they may face.
If you’re unsure where to start or how to best support your child’s academic growth, consider seeking additional help through tutoring or other resources. As a teacher, I’ve seen the impact of one-on-one support, and I’m here to help you and your child close any academic gaps and set them up for long-term success.
Remember, parents play a critical role in helping their children thrive academically—don’t wait for the school to do it alone. Get involved today and make a difference in your child’s future.
Contact me to learn more about how tutoring can help your child succeed academically and close the learning gaps early!