The Parent's Role Defined
Parents/Adults Provide Practical, Not Academic, Support
The fact that, at the high school level, adults are simply not up to speed on all of the subjects, skills, and concepts needed to coach their kids through every subject does not mean that they’re not a crucial part of the learning environment. Far from it—adults are role models and supporters for children at every stage in their lives. Parents (or another responsible adult) can contribute to their children’s transition from “kids” to “young adults” by: taking an interest in and being an audience for their students’ progress and work, being willing to have their student explain things to them, and sharing how their student organizes their time and their life at work.
Adolescent brains have challenges—they get worse before they get better. A clever, organized eight-year-old can easily turn into an addled non-planner for a few years without some solid encouragement and help from others. (Even with that help, patience with the neurobiology is the watchword!) Teachers do what they can from a distance, but “Don’t you have some homework to do before you start X?” is still best delivered from a doorway, not an electronic channel.
So, while relieved of the direct burden of coaching your child hour after hour, day after day, the high school parent “learning coach” still provides crucial support and coaching about trials, tasks, and time management.
Learn more about our curriculum approach, specifically the:
