There's a lot parents can do at home to help their children's education.
But, they can do even more by getting involved at school.
It's easier than it may seem.
Education Specialist Nadine Wimmer has been showing us how to put the home back in homework all week, and has the final installment in the series.
This school is unique, not because there are no desks,
not because they have reading tree-huts in every class
not even the household furniture is what sets them apart.
What's unusual about Washington Elementary's open classroom is that everywhere you look, parents are helping children learn.
Jean Reagan/Parent: "IT'S A CLASSIC STORY OF IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD."
It's a requirement. If you want your children to attend here, you have to volunteer a certain number of hours every week in the class.
School leaders have the philosophy students do better if parents are involved.
Judging from test scores, they can make a good argument.
On SAT tests, students here score an average of 25-percent higher than students at other Salt Lake District schools.
And when they go on to middle school, they average 1/2 a grade higher than other classmates.
"TO ME THE DIFFERENCE IS THE KID GETS TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THEIR EDUCATION. INSTEAD OF JUST BEING PASSIVE, LISTENING AND THEN REGURJITATING BACK WHAT THEY'VE LEARNED, THEY'RE ACTUALLY SITTING THERE SAYING, YEA, BUT WHAT ABOUT THIS."
For parents and students the rewards are more than just grades.
Hillary Dobbin/6th grader: "IT TELLS THAT SHE CARES ABOUT MY EDUCATION, SHE CARES THAT I'M ACTUALLY GETTING INTO SCHOOL AND LEARNING ABOUT WHAT I SHOULD BE LEARNING."
Janna Lauer/Parent: "IT PAYS YOU BACK TEN-FOLD, YOUR KIDS ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN SCHOOL, YOU KNOW THEIR FRIENDS, AND THEY THRIVE."
But you don't have to be involved to this extent to get the same rewards.
Laura Seklemian/U of U Family & Consumer Studies: "IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU HAVE TO BE SPENDING 4 OR 5 HOURS IN THE CLASROOM, IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO BE THE MOM WHO GETS THERE FOR THE CLASS PARTIES, OR THE DAD WHO ALWAYS BRINGS IN HIS CAREER DAY INFORMATION. IT MEANS YOU STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE TEACHER."
The best way to do that, attend parent-teacher conferences.
Join the PTA.
Take part in after-school events.
Your involvement will send a good message to the teacher and your child.
"I THINK THEY SEE ME INVOLVED IN THEIR SCHOOL AND THEY KNOW IT'S A REAL PRIORITY TO OUR FAMILY."
