Developing a Love for Science: Parents Make the Difference
Parents make the biggest difference in whether their kids learn science and math and how well prepared they are for the world of work.
- Be positive about science and math. Your attitude sets the tone for how they'll feel about science and math.
- Set high but realistic expectations about achievement
- Get involved: Be consistent about doing homework; talk about how important education is; participate in teacher conferences; talk about specifics of what's happening at school.
Did You Know?
When parents and caring adults are involved in their children's education, kids
- earn higher grades and receive higher scores on tests
- attend school more regularly
- complete more homework
- demonstrate more positive attitudes and behaviors
- graduate from high school at higher rates
- are more likely to enroll in higher education than students with less involved families
(Source: U.S. Department of Education)
Twenty-two out of the thirty fastest growing occupations are computer and health-related.
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor 2006-2007)
Students of all income levels who take rigorous mathematics and science courses in high school are more likely to go to college.
(Source: U.S. Department of Education)
The top five job growth areas in the next 10 years will require math/science skills and a college degree
(Source: U.S. Dept of Labor 2002-2003)
Students with higher-level mathematics skills earn more.
(Source: National Center for Education Statistics)
Reprinted with the permission of the Science Museum of Minnesota. © 2008 Science Museum of Minnesota.
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