In this day and age, parents and educators are facing a new set of challenges when it comes to supporting student achievement. From keeping kids in school and helping them to succeed academically, to maintaining positive relationships with teachers and administrators, to providing a healthy dose of levity, parents and educators need to step up their game. A little extra effort can make a big difference in the long run.

One of the most important aspects of supporting students is to understand their learning needs. Having a plan in place is key to ensuring a successful and productive learning experience for every student. This means that both teachers and parents should have an open and honest dialogue to identify and address issues before they become full-blown crises.

The best way to start is by establishing a parent-teacher partnership. This will allow both parties to work together in improving student outcomes. Parents should also be involved in the decision-making process, allowing them to advocate for their children and voice their concerns to the appropriate parties. If necessary, parents should be given the opportunity to volunteer as classroom helpers, in an effort to make the most of their time during the school day.

For educators, a parent-teacher collaboration is also a win-win. When both parties are on the same page, schools can better manage their resources and improve the quality of education. To this end, many school districts are beginning to implement policies to give parents a bit of respite during their working hours.

As a bonus, these initiatives are also good for kids. Aside from enabling teachers and parents to communicate and collaborate with one another, these activities can help families get to know one another. It’s also a great way for kids to socialize and feel like they are part of a community.

On a related note, the best way to encourage a student to keep up with his or her studies is to provide the appropriate materials and a study space at home. Creating a learning environment at home will go a long way in boosting a student’s productivity and achieving his or her full potential.

Parents should also do their part by establishing an effective routine. Setting a bedtime, getting a healthy meal in before heading to school, and monitoring the amount of television a child watches at night are all good ways to get a student on the right track. These simple steps will pay off in the long run.

For example, a teacher might be surprised to learn that a well-informed parent can show up in the right time frame to help a student master the basics of a new math subject. Teachers can also alert parents if they see a problem that may affect their child’s ability to succeed in a given lesson. Likewise, a good teacher will do the same for students who are experiencing difficulties, such as those with a learning disability.

There are a number of other ways to assist teachers in their efforts to improve student achievements, from providing students with a variety of reading material, to encouraging students to do their homework and promoting an appropriate level of parental involvement.