Studies show that when parents are engaged in education their children perform better in school. All parents want their kids to be successful in school and sometimes that means rolling up your sleeves and lending a helping hand.

The ultimate aim of education is to have children who are organized, independent thinkers, both responsible and capable of taking academic risks. The majority of children need a little support from Mom and Dad to get to that point.  But how much help is too much?

Somewhere between seeing grades on the report card for the first time and scheduling weekly phone conversations with the teacher is the perfect amount of parental school involvement. Parents should be involved and aware of what is going on at school, but not actively completing work for their kids.

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS TO HELP PARENTS GET INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILD’S EDUCATION

Communicate. Talk to kids about school every day.  Ask specific questions about classes.  Rather than asking, “how was school?” ask, “how was math class?  What did you learn?” Parents should know their kids schedule and teachers’ names, and stay abreast of upcoming projects and assignments.

Don’t Wait for the Report Card. One of the biggest mistakes parents make is waiting too long to correct problems. Rather than waiting for the first report card or progress report to come home, parents should follow up with issues that come up when and if they come up. If there’s a quiz on Friday, ask how it went on Monday. If marks are not what they should be, arrange a talk with the teacher and make a plan. And don’t be afraid to simply call the teacher just to check in and make sure that everything is going smoothly.

Help with Homework. There are a lot of DOs and DON’Ts when it comes to homework help.  It boils down to two basic rules: Help, but don’t do the work for them. Parents should help create a homework-friendly atmosphere where children can focus and get the work done without getting stressed out or losing motivation.

Organization. Morning, after-school, and evening routines all require organization skills to run smoothly. Whether it’s emptying book bags right after school, picking out school clothes the night before, or enforcing bedtimes, an organized routine teaches kids consistency, which pays off in school.  If disorganization is a problem at home, it’s likely a problem at school.  Kids who demonstrate consistent organization skills at home transfer those skills with them to the classroom. Help kids get organized at home, and you’re helping them be organized in school.

Set Goals Together. Part of the communication process involves setting academic goals for the school year.  Help kids learn to think about long-term outcomes by discussing personal and academic ambitions, big or small.  Be sure to keep goals realistic, achievable, and measurable. Use calendars, planners, agendas, or use our Academic Action Plan to keep goals on-track.

Do you have great tips to share on how you get involved in your child’s education?  We’d love to hear them.  Leave us a comment…and don’t forget follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Creating an Academic Action Plan Helps Families Start the New School Year Off On the Right Foot

With every new school year comes the opportunity to make academic changes and improve grades. It’s an opportunity to get rid of bad habits and pick up improved thinking, learning, and studying skills. It’s an opportunity to make this school the best school year ever!

But in order to seize hold of the opportunity that the new school year brings, parents and children need to have a plan for success in place; they need to set academic goals.

When setting goals for a new school year, follow the CAM rule: Goals should be

• Clearly stated
• Achievable
• Measurable

For instance, if a student’s goal for this year is to get better grades in math, it is more realistic to aim to increase math scores by five points per test, and set a goal of doing an extra 15 minutes of math homework a night, than it is to set a goal of getting 95% on the first test.

By setting a clear goal of improving 5 points per test, there is a greater likelihood of success. A realistic goal is an achievable goal.

But starting the school year off on the right foot isn’t only about resolving to get better grades. At-home habits that support in-school learning are equally as important to overall school success. There are plenty ways for families to make at-home resolutions that lead to a better grades.

Use a family calendar. Manage school, family, and extracurricular activities with a daily reminder courtesy of a wall calendar.

Get informed. Be informed of important school dates (big projects, standardized tests) well in advance to avoid last-minute scrambles.

Handle homework. Develop a homework strategy. Set a schedule, stick to a timeframe, and take frequent breaks to keep stress levels low. If necessary, parents should work on something along their children.

Hone study skills. The best study skill is to start early. By being aware of test dates and projects, parents can ensure that their kids are not leaving work until the last minute, which leads to stress for everyone.

Stick to a routine. Set bedtimes and wake up times help establish good morning routines. Kids of all ages need adequate sleep as part of their overall school routine, and parents can help ensure that they are getting the rest that they need to stay sharp in class.

By developing an Academic Action Plan–whether it’s about improving grades or working on at-home habits–parents can help ensure that their kids are on the right path for better grades this school year. And, with support from the experts at Oxford Learning, making this year the year that straight A’s happen is a goal that’s within every family’s reach!

What’s your family’s Academic Action Plan for this year? Brainstorm your ideas and download this sheet to write out academic and at-home goals and track progress!

Whether it’s big goals or small goals, once a goal is met, it’s something to celebrate.
Former Oxford Learning student Sara Albers had big goals—Olympic-sized goals in fact—and this month she reached them at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece!

As a student at Oxford Learning, Sara was always enthusiastic, positive, and motivated, qualities that carried over into her training for the long jump, 4 x100 relay, and the 200 m dash.  Her dedication paid off: Sara brought home a gold medal in the long jump, and a bronze medal in the 200 m dash!

15-year-old Sara is the youngest athlete chosen for team Canada, and everyone at Oxford Learning would like to congratulate her on her hard work, dedication, and success.

Helping students reach their goals—academic and otherwise—is the foundation of Oxford Learning.  Congratulations once again Sara on reaching your goals, and best wishes as you strive to meet your goals in the future.  Everyone at Oxford Learning is cheering for you!

High School is typically a four-year commitment. However, an increasing number of teens are choosing to return for a a so-called Victory Lap.

The Victory Lap is a term that refers to returning after graduation for an extra semester or two.

Why would teens want to return to high school? There are many reasons:

• Not feeling emotionally or socially prepared for college or university
• To continue with sports
• To improve grades
• To complete credits
• To increase self-confidence
• To increase post-secondary qualifications
• To save money

Some estimates say that as many as 15-20% of Ontario students return for an extra year. If students don’t feel ready to go to university or college, or don’t have the grades, and high school will allow them to re-take courses, or to take additional courses, then is there anything wrong with staying in high school for an extra year?
But critics say that in terms of the cost of education, it’s an expensive habit that is a waste of taxpayers money.

The official government of Ontario position is that not all students learn at the same rate, and if certain students need an extra year to obtain the necessary grades to graduate, then—as long as the students is under 21—this is perfectly acceptable.

Other critics say that it gives students an unfair advantage over others who don’t have the option of taking a Victory Lap—that students who remain behind to take (or to re-take) courses to bring up their averages may be unfairly stacking university admission odds in their favour.

Those who support the extra year of high school say that it helps students better cope with transition anxiety, as the move from High School to Post-Secondary is recognized as one of the biggest life transitions, right up there with marriage and retirement.

Factor in the high cost of post-secondary tuition and the alarmingly high first-year drop out rate, staying in high school to improve grades, and increasing university readiness will help high schoolers be more successful in college and university.

Read more:
The Gap Year
Are students ready for College and University?

When asked by an ambitious high school student what leads to success, TED Talks presenter Richard St. John didn’t know how to answer. But, after 7 years and over 500 interviews of successful people, he finally had his answer.  He shares what he learned about what leads to success in this short video.

Oxford Learning Winnipeg franchisee Alexis Yildir suggested posting this video as a great way to inspire teens to succeed in school.  The tips are simple and easy-to-follow, and they drive home the message that anyone can be successful. Watch this video together as a family as a great way to get motivated about the new school year.

It’s a new year, which means that it’s resolution time! 99.99% of resolutions are lifestyle resolutions: I’d like to eat better; I’m going to exercise more. But what about academic resolutions? The New Year is a chance to examine the areas of our life that need improving, and academics are no exception.

More likely than not, school is the one area that needs an overhaul the most.

By this point in the school year, students are in a pretty comfortable routine. They know their teachers; they know their classmates. They’re in a groove…but there is such a thing as being TOO comfortable, a fact that high school students can certainly attest to. Just as high schoolers are becoming familiar with their school routine, end-of-semester exams arrive. The arrival of exams calls for a change of tactics—a new way of thinking.

It’s time to re-energize the learning momentum.

It’s time to put down that Wii controller, step away from Facebook, and write down some academic goals for the New School Year!

However, setting goals isn’t typically a strong point for students. So, with that in mind, we compiled our Foolproof Guide to Setting Goals That Stick For Students of All Ages.

The first thing to know is that there is such a thing as a wrong way and a right way to set goals. Setting goals the wrong way sets students up for disappointment. Setting them the right way keeps student on track for success.

With that in mind, there is one simple rule to follow when setting goals:

To do that, students need to keep three tips in mind:

1. Don’t make broad goal statements
2. Keep goals realistic
3. Set goals with milestones

Here’s an example of a math-based goal that a student might make:

The wrong way to set a goal: I want to improve my math grade.

The right way to set a goal: I want to bring up my math grade from a C-minus to a C-plus for the next test.

By putting milestones in place, students can track where they began, where they are now, and where they are heading. This is a system that tracks success in a given timeline. And we all know that the more success we see, the more motivated we are to stick to the program.

The next step? Write down your goal in your own handwriting and put it someplace where the whole family can see it. This keeps us accountable for our goals.

Oh, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you aren’t reaching your milestone. Did that test come and go and the grade stayed the same? Maybe it’s time to call Oxford Learning.

After all, built in to all of our programs is a system that helps students stay on top of their goals, and keep working towards better grades.

Oh, and one last thing: celebrate!

We can’t think of a better way to start the New Year.

An Every Student’s Top Eleven Guide to Ultimate Academic Resolutions for 2008 for a Better School Year:

1. I resolve to do my homework every night
2. I resolve to not leave studying for a test until the last minute
3. I resolve to write down my homework and assignments in my agenda
4. I resolve to not be shy and to put up my hand and ask questions in class when I don’t understand
5. I resolve to take better notes and to read over my notes every night, even when I don’t have homework
6. I resolve to ask for help when I need it
7. I resolve to read more
8. I resolve to eat foods that are more nutritious and better for my brain
9. I resolve to get more sleep
10. I resolve to turn the music off when I’m studying
11. I resolve to be an active learner

Throughout the past year we’ve taken a close look at the educational topics that tie directly into the hot topics of the school year. Each month we looked at one topic that was relevant to what was going on in your child’s academic life—because even when school is out, learning continues.

From Back-to-school to final exams and summer learning, regardless of where you are located, these are some of common school themes and distinct benchmarks in the academic calendar.

Take a look:

• January: Start the year off right with strong academic resolutions for the rest of the school year.
• February: Stay focused. The winter blahs are in full swing by mid February. Here’s how to help kids stay focused and on track on during a slump month.
• March: March is synonymous with Spring Break. The tips help you to keep your child academically on track with fun games.
• April: For teens in high school, the push towards final exams can begin as early as April. The best tip to ace exams is to start early and be organized.
• May: Be prepared is not only the scouting motto, it’s a great motto for parents to adopt. Spring has arrived, but it’s time to think ahead to summer.
• June: Graduation is a major transition in the life of a student. Here are some tips to help your child make it a smooth transition.
• July: Kids need to keep learning all summer long to prevent the aptly named “summer brain slide.” Make learning fun all summer long.
• August: Help your household prepare for back to school.
• September: Help your child ease back into a happy homework routine.
• October: Help kids prepare for the first big test of the year with surefire study skills.
• November: The first report card of the school year is here. Do you know what to expect? These tips help you have a happy report card experience.
• December: Get organized and stay focused this holiday season by practicing time management.

Rami, a grade 12 student came to us in June needing help with a college entrance exam (ACT) He really applied himself and came in four times a week for an entire month.

He had to pass the ACT in order to receive a full soccer scholarship. In writing the practice exam, he only scored a 10%! So needless to say, he was very focused, and after our intense work, he passed! He is now enjoying a university and his full scholarship! His future goal? Professional soccer player!

We’ll be keeping our eye on the world cup for Rami — with his ability and dedication, we have no doubt he’ll get there!

For most families, the arrival of the mid-term report provides a great opportunity for parents and children to reflect on the past and plan for a successful conclusion to the school year. Here are a few ways you can help your child look forward to the end of the year.

Take stock of progress so far

Your child’s report card is a reflection of past performance, indicating your child’s strengths and weaknesses. It is an opportunity to celebrate the strengths and determine what additional steps can be taken to strengthen the weaknesses.

Assess study habits and home environment

Many parents start the school year with strict schedules for homework. By mid-year, extracurricular and family activities make these schedules difficult to follow. This is a good time for children and their parents to take a good look at how, where, and when homework is being done. Is enough time being spent on homework or is it squeezed in between other activities? Is it a priority or an afterthought? Parents need to consider their role in homework completion. Are you helping to maintain a quiet environment? Have you made sure your child has an adequate workspace and the tools to work with? Does your child have the necessary study skills to be successful?

Help your child set goals

Like adults, children feel successful when they achieve their goals. Sit with your child and read the report card together. Celebrate successes with your child. Listen to your child’s comments about the weaker areas. Ask about what he or she would like to see on the next report card. Then, help your child to set some clear, achievable, short term goals. Make sure the goals are specific. For example, getting an A in English or Math is too vague, too far away and possibly not reasonable. Encourage your child to work in small steps. Improving paragraph writing for the next assignment or mastering three more multiplication tables are examples of short term goals. Once the goals are determined, the next step is making a plan to achieve them. An important part of this step is talking to the teacher. Schedule a meeting with you, your child and the teacher. Ask for specific details. For example, “What skills does my child need to develop in order to write better paragraphs? Are there any academic skill gaps that need to be addressed? Can you suggest a strategy we can work on together to improve success.” Make sure your child is a part of this conversation.

Remember the power of praise

Parents should be their child’s greatest cheerleader. Make sure your child knows that you believe in him or her. Acknowledge all of the special skills and qualities that make your child unique. Find ways to honestly praise your child for things both great and small. Small steps are the beginning of big gains. “I really liked your positive attitude when you edited your story.” “Thank you for helping to clear the table.” “Your handwriting is really improving!” “I like the way created a schedule to share the computer with your brother.”

A good report card doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s a team effort involving parents, children and teachers. Working as a team allows your child to strive for the best he or she can do without undue pressure or fear of failing.