Jani Wilkens’ AP Language classes are currently working on what a true education is and the variables that are included. As fellow students of Wilkens, we have come up with what we believe are the top three factors of a true education, those being parent involvement, home life, and motivation.

“A well-rounded education benefits students to make good life choices,” Mike Freedline said. “Whether they’re are career or personal decisions, education helps students be prepared to evaluate situations and make the best choices possible in life.”

Parents come into play as being supporters.  Parents want to be involved, and parent involvement can make a huge difference in a student’s learning ability and may benefit them strongly in the long run.   Creating a partnership between schools and parents can have a significant impact on a students achievements.  When parents communicate regularly and keep up on their childs progress, generally schools and teachers see positive effects on grades.   One of the best ways to structure that partnership is through involving parents in their children’s homework.  All forms of parent involvement play a significant role in the health of the school and the community. Perhaps, home learning activities are the wisest to help connect the student closer to the parent, but also is an  investment of school dollars and effort to produce long-lasting academic gains. Then again, parents are there to support and help their child, not replace the schools job of preparing students with a well rounded education in a teaching and learning environment.

“I think from a parent and also a teacher’s perspective that parent involvement can be extremely helpful,” Wilkens said.  “If you pay attention to how your students are doing in school and what the teachers are sending home for them to work on I think the student then learns or your child learns that your expectation as a parent is that they’re doing what they’re supposed to at school and that it’s not just the teachers telling them what they should be doing but it’s the parents supporting the ongoing work that teachers are trying to do in the classroom.”

Home life can have a strong impact on a student at school.  Frustrations and worries at home can often cause students to be distracted or unproductive at school. Creating a home environment that promotes learning and reinforces what is being taught at school may provide and help students carry life skills they need outside of the classroom. The home life and what goes on outside of school plays a big role in how students may academically perform. This is why it is extremely crucial to provide the child with positive surroundings and encouragement for hope of a bright future ahead.

“If they have a supportive home it can make it easier on a student,” counselor Barry Morrison said.”  “If there’s things that are difficult at home whether it’s just family issues, personal issues,between parents, difficult marriage or other issues at home with siblings that can also be on the students mind every time they come to school so that can kind of keep them distracted at times and unable to keep focus which can be tough on them.”

Part of receiving a true education includes efforts put forth by the students. Teachers, parents, school administrative, and counselors can only do so much. Motivation can be a big key to success and accomplishment. Setting goals is one form of motivation. Knowing ahead of time, and setting goals can give the student something to look forward to and motivate him or her to learn and want to obtain the knowledge being taught! With work ethic comes motivation which influences students to want to achieve good grades, and encourages them to have high expectations for themselves in their future to earn scholarships. Students can be intrinsically motivated (self motivated), but can also be motivated by other surroundings or peers.  Parents can be big supports in this way.

“Motivation and work ethic are directly related. They both boost  your morals and your motivation which will boost your work ethic as well,” junior Tessa Smith said. “I’m personally motivated because I really want to get a lot of scholarships, so for  the past  five years I’ve been trying just for that one goal.”

We define a true education as  being surrounded by people that are supportive and care for your future.  Its important to have a supportive family who cares what you are doing and where you want to go in life. Although parents or family in some circumstances  can’t always be there,  having a lot of self motivation can drive a student to success. Chances of going somewhere can sometimes depend on how much motivation surrounds a student and the environment in which they live. Being around people who have a students best interest in mind can encourage them to want to go on and achieve what their hopes and dreams are in life.