Students + parents' help = success

Antioch parents scratching their heads at the mere mention of algebraic equations or European history are being offered a crash course in high school curriculum.

Recognizing the desire to help their children study and knowledge of the Periodic Table don't always go hand in hand, Antioch Community High School is offering a free four-session seminar for parents wanting to learn how to assist their student.

"It is frustrating for parents," said Phyllis Fay, assistant principal for pupil personnel service. "We know how to help when they are working on a list of spelling words, but it gets harder when the student is in high school."

Fay got the idea for the program, called Getting RESULTS, while obtaining an advanced education degree.

The purpose, she said, is to give parents simple strategies they can implement at home. The sessions are held every other week, so parents will have time to test out the strategies and then discuss their effectiveness.

Getting RESULTS meets at the high school from 7 to 8 p.m. beginning Tuesday. Additional meetings are scheduled for Sept. 18, Oct. 2 and Oct. 16.

Ruth Holst, whose son, Eric, is a junior at Antioch High School, said her assistance with homework has tapered off considerably since he was in middle school.

While Holst still helps Eric with larger projects, often his daily homework assignments are beyond her scope of knowledge.

"There is no way I would be able to help him with any upper-level math," Holst said. "I remember trying to help him out, not knowing how to do it, reviewing the book for awhile and finally saying, 'Oh forget it, go ask your teacher.'"

She hopes Getting RESULTS will improve study habits in their house.

"I've heard about the program and if it turns out to be what I think it will be, then great," Holst said.

The goal isn't re-teaching parents the three R's, rather showing them study skills they can use at home.

Fay said the first thing parents should know is what questions to ask their child. "How was your day?" doesn't cut it, she said.

Implementing 12-minute study sessions to the nightly routine is also helpful.

Fay said the key is to study, not just do homework. By picking one subject and studying -- using flash cards, sample quizzes, etc. -- the student is able to retain the information.

"We think once they reach high school, kids are supposed to know how to do this on their own -- they don't," Fay said. "The same strategies used in elementary can be used in high school."

Matt Vanover, spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Education, said he doesn't know of another high school hosting homework seminars for parents.

"This is absolutely a great idea," Vanover said. "We know students whose parents are involved in their education and engaged in their learning will perform better than others."

Fay said while she hopes hundreds attend Tuesday, she is anticipating re-running the program after progress reports come out.

The most important thing, Fay said, is staying involved.

"They don't want you asking them 20 questions, but they'll get use to it," she said.