BALTIMORE — Sylvan Learning announced the findings of a nationwide survey recently that reveals 88% of moms of children aged 6-17 think of themselves as Chief Education Officers with primary responsibility for their children’s academic success.

In addition, the survey — conducted online in December by Harris Interactive among more than 5,000 U.S. adults — revealed that a majority (80%) of moms of school-aged children plan to take a more active role in their children’s education in the upcoming year, and four in five moms (79%) agree that using third-party academic resources to supplement the instruction their children are receiving in school helps ensure they are doing what is best for their children.

“We know that strong partnerships between families and schools produce the best educational outcomes,” says Jeffrey Cohen, Chief Executive Officer at Sylvan Learning. “It is encouraging to see so many moms embracing the role of Chief Education Officer at a time when too many of our nation’s schools are under-resourced. CEO moms take on a proactive role in their children’s day-to-day learning activities, and they plan ahead, partnering with their children’s teachers to anticipate future needs, ensuring their children are on a path to personal success.”

While moms are eager to take on Chief Education Officer responsibilities, the survey also showed that they find the role challenging as they struggle over how to address their children’s educational needs and question how to be more active in their child’s education.

To help moms become more effective Chief Education Officers, Sylvan Learning recommends the following:

• Engage actively in your children’s education. It’s more than asking “How was school today?” Check homework daily and participate in setting a homework and study schedule for your children. Join the PTA and volunteer at school.
• Develop a relationship with your children’s teachers by communicating with them regularly and understanding how they would prefer to communicate — by email, phone or face to face. Listen to their advice and counsel; ask what else you can do to help your children.
• Seek information and be a smart education consumer. Just as you would research appropriate medical treatment for your children or the proper sports equipment to succeed on the field, explore programs and services within and outside your children’s school.
• Know where your children stand academically. Through the Sylvan Insight™ assessment (on promotion for $99, regularly $195), you can determine your child’s exact academic needs and attitudes toward school and learning.
• Set a good example. Parents who read every day have children who read every day. Be an educational role model for your children.
• Motivate learning through encouragement and rewarding positive behavior. Nagging is a short-term solution. Inspiration will have a lifelong impact.
• Take advantage of free resources like these from Sylvan Learning:
  • Fit 4 Algebra Challenge  — Parents receive an assessment to determine whether their children are prepared to succeed in algebra, as well as free resources to help them strengthen their skills.
  • Sylvan Math Prep  — An online collection of math videos helps parents and their children with on-the-spot homework assistance.
  • BookAdventure.org  — Children in grades K–8 can search for books and take quizzes on them to earn prizes for their reading success.
  • Mom Minded  — A blog that combines education and parenting advice to help moms navigate their children’s journey to academic success and to promote a lifestyle of learning.

As with any CEO role, there are stressors associated with the job, and this one is no different. More than two in five (44%) of mom CEOs say helping their children with homework is among the things that causes them the most stress with regard to their children’s academics, and more than one-third (35%) say understanding today’s teaching curriculum is a stressor.

“Successful CEOs have a great team of experts behind them, and the role of Chief Education Officer should be no different,” adds Cohen. “Moms should not feel alone when they navigate the evolving educational landscape. From partnering with their children’s teachers to taking advantage of third-party resources, CEOs will be able to cultivate the right team to help their children achieve academic success. With resources and help from partners like Sylvan Learning, moms can master the job of CEO and put their children on a path to future academic success.”

For more information about Sylvan Learning’s free resources and the in-center personal learning approach available at 800 locations throughout North America, visit www.SylvanLearning.com.