Remember when you were in high school wondering when you’d ever need to use those confusing algebra equations again? Or wondering why you’d need to learn all those obscure grammar concepts, like a perfect participle or a diphthong? Well, here we are in 2020, where virtual classrooms are the norm and parents are playing a bigger role in their kids’ education than they have in the past 100 years. (Surprise – suddenly you’re on the hook to relearn them, and teach them to your kids!)

This new role, which was thrust pretty unexpectedly on parents all at once, is the cause for much anxiety in households all across the country. Parents are worried that their children are not getting the education they should, and they’re not sure what they can do about it.

The good news is that there are ways you can ensure your students get a quality education, whether they’re learning in a classroom or in the living room. Parents who help their children build the right skills over time will eventually see improvement in their kids’ academic outcomes and can be confident that they’re learning exactly what they need to get ahead.

How Adaptive Learning Technology Can Help

Adaptive learning technology, which allows students to focus on weak areas, is a key component to helping students stay on track. This technology not only helps students master concepts faster, it lets teachers (and parents) tailor lessons for individual students

Many schools throughout the country are using adaptive learning models to ensure students get a continuity of education; meaning that they don’t suffer a drop off from not being in school every day. The adaptive learning tech allows students to build on prior knowledge while expanding into new academic areas. If your school is using adaptive learning technology, it’s fairly simple to track your child’s progress in the curriculum. (And if your school doesn’t supply this technology, you can still get it for your child or request your school adopt it. Ask us how.)

Adaptive learning technology allows parents to dive deep into problem areas with their kids or bring in a tutor that can give an extra boost if needed. It’s a good idea to communicate regularly with the teacher to get additional tips. Daily or weekly check-ins can give parents a clear idea of what their child can do to build the skills needed to achieve the best academic outcome possible.

Go the Extra Mile with Test Prep Tutoring

Test prep tutoring is another way parents can help expose – and remedy – any potential problem areas in their kids’ academic careers. A good first place to start is to have the student take a free practice test to get a baseline of where they stack up.

If you see your child is lagging in one area over another, for instance they score poorly in math but do all right in English, you can get them started with a test prep tutor to improve their practice test scores. This will help the student build the skills necessary to be academically successful, while also having the added benefit of improving their test-taking scores in general.

While many national standardized tests are on hold right now due to the pandemic, this is temporary. Eventually, your student will have to demonstrate knowledge of common core subjects through high-stakes testing. Best to get ahead of that.

Most students who used A-List for their standardized test prep saw an average improvement of 7 points on the ACTs and 182 points on the SATs. This could be crucial for your child as they begin applying to colleges and universities. Whether the schools are requiring SAT or ACT scores or not, they will require proof your child has mastered foundational concepts. And while many schools are currently test-optional, students who do send in high scores on either the ACT or SAT are much more likely to stand out during the application process than those who did not submit any test results.

Want to learn more about how to make sure your kids are on track in a remote learning setting? Visit A-List.com for more resources, such as a free practice test and information on test prep tutoring, to help your kids stay on the right path during these difficult times.