by Queena N. Lee-Chua, Ph.D.

A best practices study shows that the best students do not have tutors or go to Kumon.

They are the products of good parenting.

Home and family are significant factors in student learning and achievement. Studies done all over the world attest to a variety of best practices, ranging from parental involvement in school to various enrichment activities. But how many of them really work? Which are applicable to the Philippine setting -and most importantly, which are already being practiced by the families of our best students? The only way to find out is to ask parents themselves.

As a psychologist-educator, I am often faced with the problem of student mediocrity and underachievement. I try my best to motivate them by using creative and innovative teaching styles, but learning is not the sole responsibility of the teacher. The family environment is even more crucial, especially in forming good habits early on.

Last year, I teamed up with a concerned Ateneo High School parent, Maribel Sison-Dionisio (herself a family counselor), to conduct an extensive study of the best practices in our school. A 100-item questionnaire was given to 823 parents of honor students excelling in extracurricular activities. (These students were selected by administration based on academic and extracurricular performance.) We received 533 responses (a whopping 65 percent rate of return), and conducted a focus-group-discussion with 27 parents. The first local study of its kind of this scope, this truly is a community effort - sponsored by the Parents Union for School and Home, and endorsed by President Fr. Ben Nebres, SJ; Basic Education director Fr. Bert Ampil, SJ; and principal Carmela Oracion. Following are the top 10 strategies to help our children do well in school:

1. Home learning environment

In our tutor-obsessed culture, the most surprising finding may be that the majority of honor students (more than 80 percent) have never had professional tutors after school. (Another 10 percent say they rarely have tutors.) But then again, this may not be so surprising, as internationally, many student achievers seldom rely on professional tutors.

How do these students achieve? Many parents tutor their children until Graces IV or V, by which time these students have already developed good study habits and can study well on their own. In the upper grades, parents act more as guides, and are consulted mainly on complicated topics. Interestingly, many parents in the survey say that at the very least, they still make sure their high school son completes his homework. Most parents also say they spend the most time with their child (not the yaya, house help or lola), which includes at least an hour a day.

What this means: The first 10 years of our child's life are essential not just for building relationships but for developing good study habits as well. Investing time and effort especially in the early years provide a steady foundation for lifelong learning and many prevent future problems.

2. Students have a quiet place and a set time to study everyday.

This may be plain to common sense, and it is. However, when the Third International Math and Science Study (TIMSS) compared the typical American and the typical Japanese eighth grade students, researchers found why a set time and place for daily study is important. The former studies wherever and whenever he feels like it, while the latter has his own space (tiny though it may often be) and time for learning. No wonder Japan ranked in the top five and the US barely made it to top 20 in the 1999 TIMSS ranking. (The Philippines was 36th out of 38 countries.)

As for the Philippines, not all teenagers have a set time to study - often, they study after dinner, sometimes in between TV shows or perhaps only hours before exams (when they pull in ineffective all-nighters). Some students swear they study better with stereo blaring, the TV on, the cellphone turned to maximum volume - all at the same time- but chances are these students are not doing the best they can in school. Abstract subjects such as math require reflection (and constant practice.) With the ear-splitting sounds of MTV, how can our children hear themselves think? Moreover, many parents in the survey also say that their child had a set time to go to bed and to wake up.

What this means: Make sure each child has a set time and his own private space to study. Ensure that each child has his own desk. Turn off all possible distractions, invest in good lighting and make sure that children develop a solid routine for daily study.

3. Parents frequently discuss with their children what happens in school.

These talks range from daily news to significant events (such as a particularly vexing teacher or an inspiring play). Third and fourth-year parents spearheaded discussions on possible career choices, while most parents provide counsel on balancing academics and activities, or dealing with teachers and lessons.

What this means: Ensure that communication lines are open and free. Our child has to be able to confide in us about mundane and important things. Inevitably, peer pressure becomes significant in teenager life (whether for good or ill), but one way to prevent negative influences is to be constantly present so that our child does not have to turn solely to peers for affirmation.

4. Aside from the Internet and textbooks, a variety of reference materials are available in the home.

These materials include encyclopedias, yearbooks, manuals, CD-ROMs. The school library may be well-equipped, but if possible, we must equip our home with educational materials - and make sure our children learn to consult them. Love of reading is extremely important - more than 80 percent of parents say they encourage their child to read for leisure. When their children were young, many parents also frequently read to them. (This also prevents feature problems in college - college English professors trace student's lack of language skills to avoidance of reading "big books.")

Interestingly, TV may not be as horrible an influence as is usually thought. Many achieving students still watch TV and surf the Net (but rarely for more than a couple of hours, and many limit TV watching to weekends). Shows such as those on Discovery Channel and National Geographic are popular.

What this means: Invest in educational references and resources. These may be pricey, so wait for book sales and book fairs, or patronize second-hand shops. Inculcate a love of reading in your children. For parents with pre-school kids, for those who haven't done so yet - start reading to (and with) them. Make reading a bedtime ritual.

5. Again, in our culture, after school enrichment activities such as Kumon and speed reading are very popular.

It may be a shock for parents to learn that most of the student achievers have never attended any of these sessions. Keep in mind that these are commercial ventures, often run not by educators but by ordinary franchisees. These sessions are not bad, of course. But consulting their own teachers, reflecting on homework and constantly doing all the exercises in their textbooks may be more effective ways of learning for kids.

In other countries, outside-school enrichment sessions may be more regulated (for instance, education units are required), and thus, they may prove more effective. But here in the Philippines their quality varies. With luck, we may be able to find a dedicated educator-franchisee who can personally oversee our children's learning, but from experience, I don't think there are many of these. (If these franchisees undergo training in academic content and student motivation, and perhaps go for a master's degree in education, then they may be more effective. But this is not yet the case today.) The bottomline is: educational fads come and go, but solid grounding in the basics (without fancy formulas or strategies) is still the main factor in academic achievement.

What this means: The good news is we don't have to spend money on outside-school sessions. But the challenging news is we have to invest time and effort in developing good study habits in our children. There are no quick fixes in education.