Homework: A Parent's Survival Guide
by Morgan Adler

As parents of students with learning differences know all too well, an IEP is a child's Individual Education Plan. Schools develop this plan to set educational/ behavioral goals and the steps necessary to accomplish them in the least restrictive environment possible. Is it not then equaly important for parents to have the opportunity to follow through with this learning plan when it comes to homework? At the Huntining Learning Center we know how difficult and frustrating homework can often be for students and parents alike. That is why we have developed the IHP, Individual Homework Plan, so students and parents can work together, share goals, and accomplish learning strategies in the least frustrating environment possible.

At Huntington we believe in the 3- C's. The 3-C's philosophy was developed as part of Homework: A Parent's Survival Guide Workshop Presentation. It goes over what we know to be true about parents who are involved in their student's education. We know that parents CARE enough about their children to want them to do well in every undertaking. We know that parents are CONCERNED about every aspect of their student's schoolwork and its effect on academic performance. Last, we know that parents COMMUNICATE their care and concern through their words and actions.

It is the third C that most often times brings students and parents to tears. It's the one that can escalate an already tense environment and turn a student off from learning. Working one on one with a child who is frustrated about the amount of time it takes to get homework completed or frustrated by the difficulty of an assignment is never a joyous occasion. However, Huntington has developed tools to help parents evaluate their students' struggels and determine the best plan of action by, much like an IEP, setting goals and the steps it will take to achive them.

Another tool Huntington has developed as part of the Homework Presentation is the equation E+C+S=. Together parents and students must define mutually acceptable goals or EXPECTATIONS and the time period in which these expectations will be met. Together parents and students need to COMMIT to achieving these expectations within the specified time. Last, they must STRIVE to meet these expectations through hard work and by overcoming obstacles. By adding all of these to a student's homework routine the end result is that parents are able to transform homework time into quality time.

Huntinton Learning Center-Apopka offers the presentation, Homework: A Parent's Survival Guide, as a free community service to area schools, churches, etc. The workshop is a compilation of a Power Point presentation, covering, but not limited to the imformation in this article, and a Parent Workbook. To set up a presentation date, please contact Morgan Adler, Center Director/ Community Relations via email: . Morgan@huntington-apopka.com or phone (407)788-1645. Feel free to stop by and see us for any other educational needs! We are located in the Shops at Hunt Club. 450 Hunt Club Blvd., Apopka, FL 32703.