Schools train parents as teachers

A terrific program to teach the parents, so they will be better parents and raise smarter kids. DP

Hands-on tactic can yield smarter students, also educates mom, dad
By Jeff Commings
arizona daily star: Angel Rodriguez wiggles his fingers, enjoying the feel of the shaving cream on his hands.

Then he does what any normal 3-year-old would do, and smears the goo all over the table in front of him, laughing along with other overjoyed toddlers.

Angel's mother, Sonia, stands over him, urging him to make as much of a mess as possible.
Angel doesn't know it yet, but these weekly one-hour sessions with Mom are putting him on track to be one of the smartest students in his class.

In a multifaceted push to increase student scores on standardized tests and bring underperforming schools out of their ruts, administrators are looking to students' parents, who they see as key factors in improving student performance.

Some parents, like Sonia Rodriguez, are taking a hands-on approach to improving their children's motor skills, which can translate to smarter students. Others are learning English and getting GED diplomas as a way to better understand their kids' classes. And still other parents are using their children's' schools to learn tax preparation and other skills.

Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.