Making Good Grades Important
I was having a conversation with a young friend about the importance of making good grades in school. I mentioned some reasons why it was important, and then I went on to explain how my husband and I have always held our children accountable for their grades.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“If they don’t make the grades that we know they are capable of making, then there are consequences. “
“What sort of consequences?”
“Anything from missing a ballgame to handing over their cell phones for a couple of weeks, depending upon the situation.”
The young man thought about that for a few minutes, and then said something that really surprised me.
“I always wondered what it would be like to have parents who cared about how well I did at school.”
From the time I was a little girl, my mother made it clear to me that getting a quality education was the key to unlocking doors. She used every teachable moment she could find to stress the importance of making good grades and getting a college degree. When my own children came along, it was natural for me to encourage their education and help them with their post-secondary education plans.
I can’t imagine growing up in a home where education isn’t valued.
In a recent report, Crit Luallen, auditor of Public Accounts in Kentucky, stated in part, “Lack of educational attainment is the single biggest barrier to a stronger economic future for Kentucky. The national Alliance for Excellent Education estimates that the more than 18,000 students who did not graduate from Kentucky’s high schools in 2004 will cost the state more than $4.8 billion over their lifetimes in lost wages, taxes, and productivity…”
Education pays and lack of education is costly. This year make a resolution to find a way to keep Kentucky kids in school. If you are a parent, renew your commitment to talking to your children about how important it is for them to make good grades, and set up a reward system. Be a mentor to a student, and talk about the importance of education. It’s a great way to make a difference in the life of a child.
