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Parental Partnerships in Education
“Partnership,” as one dictionary puts it, is an association of two or more parties who share common goals and concerns.
That may seem like a rather dry description of the situation we are in as parents when it comes to the vital - and at times perplexing - task of raising our children. Yet this definition does serve to underscore one important truth regarding our youngsters’ education. It is an undertaking which is more than ours alone.
While the Bible clearly makes parents the primary overseers of their children’s training (Ephesians 6:4), it neither mandates nor expects that we should try to shoulder this responsibility all by ourselves. We are in it together with others and therefore need to recognize just what role these "others" have to play in the entire process.
Being good partners with God
First and foremost, Christian parents remember that children are the most precious trusts we have from God. Consequently they can’t be reared merely as we might see fit but rather as the Lord desires. Their lives should be firmly grounded on Christ. Only in his sacrifice on the cross will they find the real meaning of their existence,
Our children will be helped - or hindered - in this by how they see us relating to that same Savior. We are the first and, in many ways, the most significant roll models they have.
If we fail to reflect any substantial commitment to the Lord and his Word, how will they react any differently? Many a positive influence on youngsters exerted by pastors, teachers and other adult Christians is undone by hypocrisy at home.
The example we set for our children is crucial. They need to see how important Christ really is to us; that his love, his grace and his forgiveness truly motivate what we do and say each day.
Being good partners with your church
Among other things, our local congregations exist to "build up" their members in the faith, so that they can become mature believers, fully equipped for service in Christ’s kingdom (Ephesians 4:12,13).
This aim of spiritual maturity forges a special bond between Christian parents and their church. Both share a common concern for the proper education of young people. Both realize that a genuine respect for God must be at the heart of all human learning endeavors if such activities are going to be successful (Proverbs 9:10).
Become well acquainted with the various educational opportunities your congregation offers: its youth groups, Sunday school, parochial day school, high school association, etc. Take a personal interest in the agencies which direct such programs. Attend their meetings. Be willing to serve on staffs and committees. Discover how they can be more effective. And encourage your own children to participate in these programs as much as possible.
Being good partners with your child’s teachers
One of the keys to any effective partnership is communication. As parents, we need to know what our children’s teachers expect from them in the classroom. And the teachers need to know what we want for our children’s education as well. All teachers worthy of their profession will welcome that exchange of views.
Take time to do it. Keep informed about your youngsters’ progress in the various aspects of school life by regularly showing up for conferences, PTA meetings and other activities. Find out about any problems which may be arising in their academic, physical or emotional development, and share your ideas with the instructor on how these problems can best be overcome.
Above all, don’t hesitate to let teachers know about your basic concern for your children’s moral growth - that you place being a faithful Christian as the highest priority in their training.
Being good partners with your children
Parents naturally want their children to do well in school. Christian parents, however, will stress educational accomplishments not as ends in themselves but rather as signs of good stewardship. Youngsters should be encouraged to develop all of the abilities God has given them, so that they can serve him by better serving others in this world.
Learning as much as possible in school will help them reach that goal of service. Fortify such faithfulness by showing interest in your children’s classwork. If you’re not very concerned with what they’re doing, why should they be?
Show them that learning about new things plays an important part in your own life. Hold out high, but reasonable, expectations for their progress in view of their individual talents. Always talk about success in terms of doing the best one can rather than in getting so many A’s or B’s on a report card.
Some Suggestions
Set aside a definite time each weekday evening to talk with your children about what happened at school that day. Ask about the new things discussed in class, what their assignments were, and how they are taking care of this homework.
Foster you children’s interest in learning by personal example. Let them see you reading books and magazines or listening to television programs which don’t simply entertain but also inform. Discuss significant ideas and issues with them.
Keep an open mind if problems arise with your children’s school life. Before reaching any conclusion get both sides of the story - from your child and also from the teacher. Listen carefully to what each has to say. Then work on correcting the difficulty.
Something to think about
Do my children know that my idea of "success" is very different from the world’s?
How do I encourage my children to use what they’ve learned to help others?
What do my children’s friends think about school? Do those views re-enforce correct ones?
How often do I talk with my children’s teachers?
What have I done in the past year to assist my congregation’s educational programs?
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of my children, Let ma be a good example for them. Help me to help them learn as much as they can, so that they become faithful, caring and productive Christians in your world. Amen.
The Family of God series is copyright © 1985 Northwestern Publishing House. and is published under the auspices of PACE (Partners Advancing Christian Education), Wisconsin Lutheran High School Conference, Milwaukee, WI. Reprinted by permission.
Northwestern Publishing House
1250 N 113th Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA 53226-3284
Phone: 1-800-662-6022
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