As the back-to-school season approaches, parents want their children to start the school year on the right foot. It's important for parents to prepare their children by offering advice and tools that will further their academic careers. Texas Instruments and Working Mother Magazine have teamed up to offer busy moms tips and guidance to help their children make a successful transition into the new school year and beyond.Today's economy makes a solid high school education critical to ensure children can successfully compete for jobs in the real world after high school and college. In particular, strong math skills are increasingly important for a student's future success. Research shows that by the time today's high school students graduate from college, more than six million jobs will require a strong background in math, science or engineering -- 24 percent more than just a few years ago.(1)
"The importance of parental support hit home for me when both of my children were completing high school and my oldest was applying for college," said Carol Evans, CEO and founder of Working Mother Media, including Working Mother magazine. "I learned that it is critical to use every tool and resource available to motivate and help children gain a strong educational foundation, especially in math, that will further their success."
Parents like Evans know that every student needs a comprehensive education to be successful after graduation. The following are tips parents can use to get ready for back-to-school for their tweens and teens.
- Take advantage of available educational tools and resources for your
child - Make sure your child has the right tools in math.
- Unlike the calculators we grew up with, graphing calculators are math learning tools used from middle school through high school. Research has shown that students who use a graphing calculator at home and in class do better in math(2), like the TI-Nspire
graphing calculator from Texas Instruments designed with computer features that help students better visualize math concepts for a deeper understanding. - Ensure your child is prepped for the SAT* or ACT exams that are so important in today's competitive college admissions.
- Many parents are not aware that graphing calculators such as the TI-Nspire graphing calculator can be used on college entrance exams and students who use these calculators on tests can have a huge leg up.
- Students should check out The Princeton Review for test prep resources that can prepare them for college entrance exams. They even offer free test prep questions that can be downloaded to students' Texas Instruments graphing calculators.
- Take advantage of homework help.
- There are many study group and tutoring options to help your child. Online resources, like Tutor.com, are available any time our child needs help -- on their schedule, not on yours. You should also check with your child's school for more options.
- Communicate the value of math education: Math is important regardless of what your teen wants to be in life. In fact, studies show that people with strong math backgrounds are more likely to be employed and earn more.
- Get to know your child's guidance counselor and teachers: At the beginning of the school year, become acquainted with your child's guidance counselors and teachers and stay in touch -- they're a wealth of information and can ensure that your child is taking challenging classes in order to be prepared for a successful future.
- Set education and life goals with your children: Before school starts, work with your child to create a list of goals they want to accomplish during the coming semester, school year and beyond. Discuss careers and make sure they're choosing the courses they need to achieve their goals. Make it a priority to set goals and to help them succeed in school, not just for good grades but also for the fulfillment of their dreams. Post them in a visible spot and review them with your child regularly to ensure you are both on track.
- Make their knowledge applicable to the real world: Help them see how what they learn in school is important in real life, like how they can use math skills every day to make better financial choices and even budget their allowances.
"An understanding of math prepares students for the future and encouragement from parents is vital," said Melendy Lovett, president of TI's Education Technology business. "In joining forces with Carol Evans and Working Mother, Texas Instruments is excited to provide parents the tips and tools essential to guiding their children to a successful school year and a rewarding future." - Adapted from http://www.newscom.com
