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News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

The By Parents For Parents Blog is regularly updated with the latest news and information on topics that relate to parenting teenagers. We'll post parenting advice and tips from trusted online news sources and expert parenting columns.

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Sunday, November 09, 2008

For Teens, Weekly Worship = Higher Grades

Students who attend weekly religious services have grade-point averages that are 0.144 higher than the GPAs of those who never worship, according to a new study from the University of Iowa. Teens who attend regular services - even those who said that religion was not important to them - also have lower dropout rates, and report being happier in school.

Researchers concluded that worship involves regular contact with adults from different generations who can serve as role models, more communication and friendships among teens and parents who share similar values, and more participation in extra-curricular activities.

Dr. Jennifer Glanville said that she wanted her study to help parents who are not interested in attending church services give their children the advantage of "allowing access to the same beneficial social networks and opportunities that religious institutions provide."

This study appears in Sociological Quarterly.

Labels: grades, influences, religion

posted by ByParents-forParents at 7:33 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Report Documents the High Costs of Dropping Out of High School

A report by an education advocacy organization says that the 1.2 million students who drop out of U.S. high schools every year inflict a significant financial burden on themselves and their communities.

According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, high school dropouts earn an average of $9,634 less every year than do those who earned their diplomas. Extending this financial disparity into the future, the group estimates that the dropouts from the class of 2008 alone will deprive the U.S. economy of $319 billion in income throughout their lifetimes.

The authors of the organization's June 2008 "Issue Brief" on this topic indicate that graduating from high school is good for both student and society:

Everyone benefits from increased graduation rates. The graduates themselves, on average, will earn higher wages and enjoy more comfortable and secure lifestyles. At the same time, the nation benefits from their increased purchasing power, collects higher tax receipts, and sees higher levels of worker productivity.

The AEE's website states that the organization's mission is "to promote high school transformation to make it possible for every child to graduate prepared for postsecondary education and success in life." The group focuses its efforts on the low-achieving students who are most likely either to drop out or to graduate from high school without mastering the skills necessary to pursue a productive future.

Labels: dropouts, future, grades

posted by ByParents-forParents at 9:13 PM 0 comments

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Parents Get Link to Grades

The information age is giving some parents the ability to track their kids' school performance. Several schools in the Chicago area have begun using electronic grade books that both students and parents can access online. It's an ability that most kids appreciate, as long as the parent doesn't get too carried away.

"The challenge for parents lies in keeping their children focused, but also encouraging them to take responsibility for their own grades, said Lee Shumow, a Northern Illinois University professor of adolescent development. It's important for adolescents to start developing autonomy, she said."

Many students are taking initiative and tracking their own grades, which gives them the opportunity to monitor their performance and make necessary improvements. The program, called Pinnacle Internet Viewer, was developed by Colorado-based software company Excelsior Software.

A good private college prep school, like Mount Bachelor Academy in Oregon, helps students with academics as well personal growth.

Labels: grades, involment, school

posted by ByParents-forParents at 6:51 PM 0 comments

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