For Parents

I don't remember high school math. How in the world can I help my child?

First, relax. You don't have to know the math to be able to help your child.  The best thing you can do is stay involved in their academic life by asking questions.  Ask what they learned in class, ask when their next test is, ask how they feel about the material, etc. Just knowing that you are involved and curious about what they are learning can go a long way.  

How can I check my child's grades?

Be sure you have access to the PowerSchool. You can sign up to receive weekly (or even daily) email summaries of their grades.  You can also log in at any time to check grades.  I personally recommend (and use with my own child) a weekly check.  If you notice something that looks off, ask your child about it. He/she may just need to complete an assignment from a day they missed class, but it may be something bigger like a failure to do a in-class assignment. 

Should I contact the teacher about a concern or let my child handle it?

I believe high school is a great time to practice gradual release of responsibility.  As much as possible, let your child handle his/her own school business but be available to assist. Have him draft an email to the teacher but proofread it before he sends, let her ask the teacher about a grade that looks incorrect before you intervene, etc. The more your student learns to do for himself or herself now, the better off he or she will be in the long run.  

How should my child study for math?

I've often said, "Math is not a spectator sport."  Your child won't learn by watching me (or someone else) work problems.  He needs to do them on his own.  To study for a quiz or test, students can re-work problems from class, read over and/or re-write notes from class, or create a practice quiz or test on the material.  As a parent, one of the best things you can do is provide the time and space for the studying to occur. Is there a quiet space for your child to work? Are there "no tech" times during which studying happens?

What should I do if my child is struggling in class?

One of the best things we can do as adults is to ask questions and truly listen to the answers.  Ask your child why he/she is having trouble.  Is she seated near someone distracting?  Is he eating enough at breakfast to stay focused until lunch?  Is she getting enough sleep?   Once you know the reason, you can help your child take action.  Maybe she needs to attend AA, maybe he needs to ask for a new seat, maybe she needs to put her cell phone downstairs at night to sleep without interruption.  Occasionally, your child may just need to have the material explained in a different way. Khan Academy is a great resource for helpful videos, and some parents even opt for a tutor.

My child says he needs a $100 calculator. Can't his phone do everything the calculator will do?

Trust me; I know how expensive kids are! But the calculator is imperative to success in high school math.  I recommend a calculator in the TI-84 family.  I personally own (and use to teach with) the TI-84 Plus that I received as a gift back in 2004! (At least you know the calculator won't be replaced with a fancy new model as quickly as iPhones are!)  If you can splurge for the TI-84 Plus CE, do that. The colors make comparing graphs much easier, but that model generally runs about $25 more.   I do NOT recommend the TI-89 as it cannot be used on many standardized tests.