Education Nation

After watching Mit Romney on Education Nation , I feel validated in my efforts between 4-6pm.  I already knew I should be involved in the education of my children however doing homework with three kids and trying not to let it completely take over the evening is a huge task.

 I agree with Mit that it is not the amount of money we give a school but the kind of teachers that teach there and more importantly the amount of parent involvement.  As much as I would prefer some days, ( just because it's so much easier) separating my children's school life with our home life is not possible. Not possible if my husband and I want them to be successful.  I have smart kids. Although, at the ages of 10, 8 and 5 , if I don't put emphasis on home work and studying for test they will naturally do other things.  When I have let things play out on their own and decided to step away from the homework battle, it has involved tutoring (more money), and a child who feels unsuccessful and behind.  All could have been avoided had I had control of the situation and made studying and homework a priority.

 I do believe there is too much homework, I wish it could be different. But, it's not and if I sit on my ideas about just letting them "be kids" when they get home from school, they end up loosing.
Not loosing on every level of course. Feeling like you belong in a family ranks higher than being successful at school.
I once tried Homeschooling for  this very reason, to be done with homework.  It works wonderfully for many.  For me, not so much.  To put it plainly, I like people and being part of my community and honestly I like school.  So, I have decided to put my kids in the best schools I can, and support wholeheartedly the teachers.  Hearing out my kids complaints but not feeding them.  Homework like testing ( which no one likes) is simply part of life. It is the best way the teachers have found to make successful students.  I will do my part at home to partner with them.  This may mean that between the hours of 4-6pm or 7pm and sometimes into the  night is not always fun, but doable.  I will try to be light hearted and fun but stay consistent with routines and stay on top of subjects each child is struggling with.

Going back to Mit.  Several times he was ask " How are you going to change public school?"  He has ideas, but what he kept going back to is parent involvement.  At the end of the day which ever President sits at the White house is not essentially responsible for the education of my child,  I am.  I own that.  Mit encourages America to own their responsibility, and their success.  I support that.