Parents' role as education partners growing as school year begins in D.C.

As summer vacation comes to an end, District students are not alone in their transition from leisure to learning. Parents must also prepare to be involved for another year of academic growth.

According to the Harvard Family Research Project, parental involvement is key to student achievement. Public, private and charter schools are becoming more insistent that parents get involved with their children's education inside and outside the classroom.

"We need to be encouraging them to participate in their child's education," said Kaye E. Savage, founder and chief executive of Excel Academy Public Charter School, an all-girls school in Southeast.

Savage said each parent at her school must sign a "covenant of excellence" to ensure their involvement.

A key part of the agreement requires parents to have their children arrive on time for school. Savage suggested that parents of young students should have their children ready for bed no later than 8 p.m.

"We have a day that begins as early as 7:30 a.m. If a child comes to school late, she misses a great deal," Savage said. "We need their support to ensure their children come to school on time and ready to learn."

Classes for District students begin Monday.

James R. Woody, executive director of the Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys, a free private school in Southeast, said parents can bolster the learning experience at school by replacing video games and television with books at home.

"That reinforces the idea that reading is something enjoyable," Woody said. "That's the kind of thing teachers can appreciate."

Jeff Grant, director for the department of families and parents with D.C. public schools, said parents need to understand their value. "We've identified that families are valuable education partners. We need their engagement," he said.

D.C. public schools have created several parent resource centers for families to provide more support. The centers, at Harriet Tubman Elementary in Northwest and Shadd Elementary and M.C. Terrell Elementary in Southeast, feature workshops, support groups and training sessions to help parents increase their participation at schools.

"We're making sure that we give many opportunities to our parents," Grant said.

By not establishing a firm plan for achievement at an early age, Savage said, parents could put their children at risk for a bleak future. She said a different outcome could be possible if parents are involved from the start.

"We're trying to create a pattern of success," she said. "Set the culture early."

The District's parent academies are ongoing through next Thursday. For a list of topics, times and locations, visit http://www.dcps.dc.gov.