By Earl Martin Phalen

Every school year is a chance for a new beginning for your child.
I’ve seen hundreds of children move from being “C students” to “A and B students” by the end of the school year when they have the right focus and engaged parents. As the consequences of the drop-out crisis have shown us, young people need to know that they will only obtain their material and emotional long-term desires by staying in school and getting a great education.

Although I was born into the foster care system at a time when 70 percent of my black male peers would end up going to jail, I was adopted by an incredible family that valued discipline, hard work and education.  As a result, I ended up attending Harvard Law School and was a classmate of Barack Obama’s.
I truly believe parental engagement can make the difference in the life achievements of a child. So if last year your child’s grades weren’t up to par, or you just hope to keep them afloat if they’re already excelling, here are five tips to start your child’s school year out on the right track. Try these five tips, be persistent, and you will set your child on the track to becoming an all-star student.