PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT KEY TO IMPROVED SCHOOLS

This is American Education Week. It offers a chance for us to take a long, hard look at our schools.

We feel that examination will pay off with a new appreciation for today's schools. Despite all the financial problems, teachers are doing a good job, day in and day out, providing our kids with a solid foundation of learning.

As the number of young people dwindles in America, fewer people have direct contact with the schools. That's why attending one of the open houses at the Cape Girardeau Public Schools this week will provide valuable insight on how schools are keeping pace with technology and change.

But schools can't do the job alone. Teachers will be the first to say that parental involvement is a key to each student's success.

Parents can become involved in many ways, including the Parent Teacher Associations. Today's PTAs stress a partnership between parents and teachers to provide a quality education for all children.

Increased parental involvement helps not only their kids but others as well. With one in four children living with a single parent, many of today's kids are looking for strong role models.

Lee Iacocca, honorary chairman of the National PTA, is convinced that if more adults drop into schools, then kids will stop dropping out. He has a valuable point. Dollars alone won't make the difference in education. Adults must also make an investment of time. Adults can't just say they care about today's kids. We have to show it to make a real difference.

The results are extraordinary. More than 50 research studies have shown that the more a parent is involved in a child's education, the higher the student's achievement.

Parents also provide important role models at home. Parents who read are more likely to have children who enjoy reading. Adults who don't have a high school diploma can set a wonderful example by returning to G.E.D. classes. We can say that school and reading are important, but that message must be underscored by action.

That parental involvement can begin before school does, with the outstanding Parents as Teachers program. Effective parental involvement should continue through graduation. No special skills are needed. Parents from all walks of life, all socio-economic backgrounds can make a significant difference. That involvement can continue at the work place through such programs as Adopt-A-School. A partnership between parents and business and schools will pay off with better educated children.