What’s in Your Head Matters More than What’s in Your Backpack

When we talk about school quality and achievement, we tend to get caught up in funding, teachers, textbooks, and test scores. But what do you really need to learn? An open mind? A quiet opportunity for reflection? The discipline to keep trying? Enough curiosity to ask a question?

A greatschools study found that while 93% of parents get kids ready for school by shopping for school supplies and 75% adjust kid’s sleeping schedules, less than half of parents help prepare their students for learning. According to the report “The Economy’s Impact on Back to School,” 47% of parents find out what students will be learning, 39% have them start reading more, and 33% reduce TV and video game time.

Greatschools started as a way to find out about the quality of almost any school in the United States. Over time, it has become a valuable resource for parents to have an impact on school quality, not just in their choice of what building to send their children to, but in becoming an active part of the educational process. The study also finds that volunteerism is on the rise in schools (64% of parents plan to volunteer this year), particularly among African American parents (up to 60% this year from just 23% last year). If you are a parent, take the Great Parents Pledge this year and help your children succeed. If you are a school, find out how you can effectively leverage your parent volunteers to improve your community during these difficult economic times. Change is coming!