Algebra is Optional

In the last decade, there have been more than 20 studies of engagement undertaken by organizations like Gallup, Towers Perrin, Blessing White, and others. There seems to be fairly universal agreement that our society is not engaged. Gallup, for example, in its survey of 3 million American workers, found that only 28% were engaged, 54% were putting in time for a paycheck, and 18% were completely disengaged, spreading their unhappiness in the workplace, actively looking for other employment, or in the worst cases, actually working against the interests of the organization.

The education division of The Engage Institute has polled more than a quarter of a million families of school aged children across the United States. The results aren't much different. The overall level of family engagement in the educational life of children looks a lot like the profile of American workers. And yet twenty years of research has shown that family engagement is the most reliable predictor of student success. Legislative initiatives like No Child Left Behind will never have their intended effect by pushing test scores as "performance indicators" unless we first find ways to re-engage families as partners in helping students succeed.

Families don't have to volunteer in a classroom, tutor Algebra, speak English, or even know how to spell chemistry to be engaged in their child's education. Research shows that if families and caregivers will do three things, they can help their child do better in school and make enormous strides toward reaching their maximum potential. Families need to (1) set high (but not unreasonable) expectations, (2) help children take responsibility for their education and take advantage of all opportunities to learn (and model this behavior in their own lives), and (3) talk to their children often about their goals and help them plan for the future.