Resources
For Parents
As a parent, your role is to encourage your child's natural curiosity about life, nurture his or her particular skills and talents, and help channel these into his or her educational pursuits. Demonstrating the value of education by modeling good habits to your children—helping with homework, getting everyone ready for school on time, and communicating with teachers—are good ways to begin. Check in with your child each day to ensure you know what he or she is working on, what homework is due, and what projects are required for each class. Keep the lines of communication open so your child knows he or she can always come to you, or another important adult, when problems (academic or personal) arise. Don't judge or blame, but do not excuse poor academic performance or bad behavior.
Remember that dropping out is not usually a sudden act, but a slow process of disengagement over time for most kids. There are a number of signs to look for that could signal trouble—indicators your child may be struggling with school or beginning to disengage from the school environment for one reason or another. Warning signs include:
- Low grades
- Discipline or behavior problems
- Lack of involvement in school activities
- Pregnancy
Some kids also struggle during times of transition, so keep an eye out during particularly stressful milestones including:
- Being held back a grade
- Transferring to another school
- Moving from middle or junior high to high school
Remember that a pattern of absences from school are the biggest predictor of dropping out, so make sure your child knows truancy will not be tolerated from you or from the school administration. Follow up with your child's school to be sure you understand their policies and procedures around unexcused absences, and if you suspect your child may be skipping school, get involved to put an end to the behavior as soon as possible.
Staying connected to your child by working closely with his or her administrators and teachers, keeping abreast of schoolwork, and perhaps volunteering at school events or in the community will keep problems from spiraling out of control and may significantly reduce the chances that your child will become another dropout statistic.
