Turning Points: Chapter 9

Abstract:
This chapter was all about parental involvement and how crucial it is during the middle school years. The problem is, however, that parent and community involvement seems to drop off as age increases. The rewards of parent and community involvement are excellent, including higher grades and test scores, improved teacher morale, higher student achievement, more positive attitudes, the list goes on and on. It is important that schools work out ways to get parents to respond to their students learning. One way is personalization. Schools need to show students that they and the parents are joint companions. Schools and parents should share the same goals and definitions for their students. Parent volunteer options in the school is another great way to get the parents involved. A school needs to establish itself as a community member and a community resource. Students can get involved through service learning project, and by participating in afters school programs that encourage involvement. Conferences are great way of giving student support, especially teacher led conferences where there are "no secrets"

Reflection:
We all really liked the idea of student led conferences. This way students feel like they are more involved in the conference and it is not a secret meeting between their parents and the teacher. Parents will feel more involved as well because they will see their students progress over the year as examples are shared. This also allows the communication between parents and students opens up, and also helps students understand that the teacher doesn't give grades, the student earns them.
Another important aspect of the chapter was service learning. Students shouldn't be removed from their communities just because they are in school. Teenagers often get a bad rep because of their age group, but by being visible in the community, they have a chance to change that perception. They also are becoming active community members as well as learners.