Academic enhancement activities were practiced in high school for ten years and involved over fifteen hundred families. The participation rate was over 90 percent. Students in the twelve to fifteen-year range participated with their parents. The ten activities focused on identifying natural interests, likes, and preferences the student had demonstrated from age three to the present. These activities are used to identify competencies/skills that lead the student to logical career, family, and community options.
Parents provide objective advice and information to assist the student to discover their natural traits. School personnel can manage the process and give suggestions that fit the school curriculum and provide options for the future. It is the student and then the parent(s) that are the prime decision-makers with this process. The activities rely on objective information from parents, students, school, business and the community.
The process draws from each to promote student academic enhancement. Remember, schools prepare students for success in each of these areas. It is reasonable that direction should come from outside and within the educational community for student planning and school curriculum changes. Parents are the prime resource because they know the student well and work in these areas of the community.
The resources outlined were determined by the general learning weakness seen during the student-parent meetings.