Parents cannot effectively monitor academic progress if they don’t know what their scholar is expected to know at each grade level. A good report card is important, but parents should also understand the specific skills their child should be developing in reading, writing, math, science, and other core subjects. Ask your scholar’s teacher for the grade-level learning standards and what students are expected to master by the end of the school year. Parents can also review their state or school district’s academic standards and assessment information. Once you know the expectations, periodically review your scholar’s work and ask simple questions: Can my child read and understand material at the expected level? Can they write a well-organized paragraph or essay appropriate for their age? Have they mastered the math concepts expected at this point in the year? Knowing the destination makes it much easier to determine whether your scholar is on the right path.
Once you understand the grade-level expectations, use them to guide the support you provide at home. Instead of randomly purchasing workbooks or assigning extra problems, focus your resources on the skills your scholar actually needs to strengthen. Programs such as IXL, Khan Academy, Education.com, TestingMom.com, Kumon, Sylvan Learning, Mathnasium, and grade-level practice books can provide additional reinforcement, while your public library and school system may offer free educational resources. If your scholar has already mastered grade-level material, look for opportunities to provide enrichment and more challenging work rather than simply giving them more of the same. The goal is not to compare your child with other children or create unnecessary academic pressure. The goal is for parents to know what their scholar should know, understand where their scholar currently stands, and provide the resources and support needed to help them continue progressing.
