The goal of all parental involvement programs is to improve student achievement, asserted Fay Brown and Valerie Maholmes in their workshop during the 2003 Conference on Teaching and Learning. "What we are trying to do, every day, is provide support for children's development," said Brown. "That's the bottom line."
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In their workshop, Parents as Partners in Student Learning, Brown and Maholmes identified ways that educators can support their students' development in six critical areas, which are part of James P. Comer's School Development Program. Educators must share this information with parents, Brown added, so parents too can contribute in a basic—and meaningful way—to their children's learning and growth.
- The physical pathway. The healthy functioning of the entire body is essential to learning. "We have to provide support for children's physical development if we're going to get them to perform cognitively in the classroom," Brown explained. Children need to eat properly and drink water, for example. It's common sense, Brown noted, but too often "it becomes uncommon."
- The language pathway. Children need to learn how to speak well and to express their thoughts and feelings appropriately. We have to teach children even the small things, such as how to speak in front of a group, Brown said.
- The cognitive pathway. Teachers and parents must help children increase their capacity to think, to plan, to solve problems, and to set and accomplish their goals. Parents need to help their children "think for themselves," Brown advised.
- The social pathway. Children need to learn how to get along better with others. In this diverse society, Brown said, we must help our children "develop the capacity to build healthy relationships and get along with people in spite of their differences."
- The ethical pathway. Children must behave with justice and fairness toward others. Teachers and parents must teach children to respect themselves, their peers, and adults. "Just imagine what the society would be like if students developed this ability," Brown said.
- The psychological pathway. Helping children develop a healthy sense of self is so important, Brown stated. "You know that when you feel good about yourself, you can do some amazing things," she said.
More information on the Comer School Development Program is available online at http://info.med.yale.edu/comer.