Guiding Parents to Support Higher Achievement

Findings by Harvard researcher Nancy E. Hill can help middle schools “better guide parents in supporting the scholarship of their adolescent or middle school-age children,” says this post at the ASCD Inservice blog. Hill contends that the operational structure of most middle schools inhibits regular communication among educators and parents at the most difficult period of childhood. By improving that communication and shifting parent involvement from school volunteerism to “at-home support for academics,” schools can improve student performance. [The Inservice post summarizes an Education Week article exploring Hill's work. Go to the Inservice blog (link above) and then click through to the Ed Week article to assure full access.]