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Many children struggle with school. Sometimes these problems are caused by a lack of interest, while other times they may be created by learning challenges that your child faces. If your child is having difficulty in school, this does not mean the child cannot ultimately succeed. There are many ways to help your child overcome academic hurdles. In fact, one of the solutions to overcoming academic problems is to have your child work with a tutor.

However, before you hire a private tutor, or sign your child up at the local learning center, you should first confirm whether your child truly needs the one-on-one attention the tutor provides.

How do I know if my child needs a tutor?

First, before you even hire a tutor or visit a learning center, you should determine whether or not your child needs a tutor. Ask yourself these questions:

• Are your child’s grades slipping?
• Is your child obtaining great grades, but not feeling challenged at school?
• Is your child displaying low self-esteem, or thinking negatively about himself or herself in regards to school performance?
• Does your child’s teacher think he or she may need a tutor, or sends notes home indicting he or she may need help with his or her homework?
• Does a college your child wants to attend require high scores on tests to be accepted?

If the answer to any of these questions is, “yes,” these are signs that a one-to-one tutor may be useful to help your child to enjoy learning. A

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States. From its small beginning in 1897, the PTA has emerged as a powerful voice for children at the national, state, and local levels. This article describes the role of the National PTA and discusses how the organization assists parents and teachers working together at the local level.

Overview

The PTA has been instrumental in the passage of several ground-breaking initiatives for the welfare of children, including child labor laws, the juvenile justice system, hot lunch programs, mandatory immunizations, and kindergarten classes. Its purpose has always been to better the lives of children by:

• Serving as a voice for children before government and other decision-making bodies
• Developing resources for families and communities
• Advancing the education and well-being of every child

Some of the strategies that the PTA uses in accomplishing its purpose are:

• Promoting the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship
• Raising the standards of home life
• Recommending laws for the care and protection of children and youth
• Bringing parents and educators together so that they can work effectively for the education of children and youth

This TEDTalk discusses the importance of a solid parent-teacher relationship.

Promoting Pro-Child Policies

The National PTA speaks out to Congress and the general public about issues affecting children and their education. Subjects currently being addressed at the national level include parental involvement,

The is a nationwide network of parents and teachers working together in national, state, and local organizations to improve the lives of children. Membership at the local level is open to anyone who has an interest in children. There are now close to 6 million members in 23,000 local chapters. Joining the PTA is an excellent way for parents to get involved in their children's education. Local PTAs throughout the country are making a difference in the quality of children's education.

A local PTA chapter is part of a national network of organizations working together for children's interests. Most parents join a local unit, which automatically gives them membership in the state and national PTAs. The local unit can represent a single school or a group of schools. Local units have the autonomy to establish their own priorities, select the national programs in which they will participate, assess the needs of the school, and decide how to raise needed funds.

This video explains reasons for joining the PTA.

Fundraising

Local units frequently hold fundraisers, the proceeds from which go to support school programs, building maintenance or improvements, and educational events. The following are examples of how local PTAs can improve a child's education.

The children at Washington Elementary School in San Gabriel, California, are enjoying their art classes once again this year, thanks to a $6,000 donation by

With the advent of cell phones, the Internet, MP3 players, DVDs, and more, what should be used in the classroom, and what should be left at the schoolhouse door? Many school administrators, teachers, and parents are pondering this question these days. Like many other complex conundrums, there is no easy answer. There are clear advantages and disadvantages to using new media in the classroom.

If you are a parent, it is up to you to say how much new media should be used in your child’s classroom. The prevalence of both benefits and disadvantages warrants finding the right balance of media in the context of learning.

This video discusses the pros and cons of using technology in the classroom

Learning Advantages of New Media

Less than 30 years ago, fewer than half the households in the United States owned a personal computer, and the Internet was still primarily used by scientists to share information.

Today, the “new media” of learning has leaped off the pages of books and onto the web pages online. For example, volumes of encyclopedias are becoming more obsolete, as this knowledge is easily accessible through the internet and CD-ROMs. Elementary school children are learning to use new media more fluently than their parents, with applications ranging from PowerPoint to Excel. Subsequently, with the potential for learning enclosed in new media, these technologies have found a place in the classroom. While some