News Tip: Research-Based Advice for the New School Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Aug. 15, 2016
Duke University experts share back-to-school advice for parents on bullying, homework, absenteeism and helping English language learners navigate the start of school.
Quotes:
William Copeland
Quotes:
“For a lot of kids, the beginning of the school year can be when
bullying starts in earnest,” says
William Copeland, an associate professor at
Duke’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
“It’s important to not think about bullying as a rite of passage. We know that bullying has long-term effects, similar to child mistreatment. If parents notice changes in mood, behaviors and school performance, it is imperative they make sure their child doesn’t stay in a toxic situation.”
“Parents need to be in surveillance mode the first few weeks. The goal for parents is to be keyed in enough so they’re aware of what’s happening, but not create more anxiety for the child. Expect that there is going to be a transition, but monitor behavior and mood.”
Bio:
William Copeland is an associate professor at Duke’s
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and a faculty
fellow of the Duke Center for Child and Family Policy. He
researches how childhood stress affects long-term mental and
physical health, in particular the effects of childhood bullying.
http://childandfamilypolicy.duke.edu/people/profile/?t=faculty&p=william.copeland
Archive video interview:
http://www.cnn.com/videos/living/2016/01/14/the-lasting-effects-of-bullying.cnn
For additional comment, contact Copeland at:
(919) 687-4686; william.copeland@duke.edu
Harris Cooper
Quotes:
“When it comes to homework, parents can and
should be role models and mentors, but over-involvement can be a
bad thing,” says Harris Cooper, professor of
psychology and neuroscience at Duke.
“When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it. If homework is meant to be done alone, stay away. Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent, life-long learning skills. If your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers.”
Bio:
Harris Cooper is Hugo L. Blomquist Professor of
Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke. He has authored a
meta-analysis of studies of summer learning loss and is a noted
expert on homework.
http://psychandneuro.duke.edu/people?Uil=cooperh&subpage=profile
For additional comment, contact Cooper at:
(919) 660-5664; cooperh@duke.edu
Amy Schulting
Quotes:
“We know that attendance in the elementary grades predicts
student attendance in later grades as well as high school
graduation rates,” says Amy Schulting, a research scientist at
the Duke Center for Child and Family Policy who studies
absenteeism.
“The beginning of the school year really sets the stage for the whole academic year when it comes to student attendance. In our research, we’ve had success using teacher home visiting to foster home-school communication and collaboration. We’ve also learned that, by and large, teachers and parents prefer texting as a way to communicate and that it creates a sense of connection and accountability for parents.”
Bio:
Amy Schulting is a research
scientist at the Duke Center for Child and Family Policy. She
studies truancy prevention efforts in the elementary grades.
http://childandfamilypolicy.duke.edu/people/profile/?t=faculty&p=amy.schulting
For additional comment, contact Schulting
at:
919-668-5411; amy.schulting@duke.edu
Leslie Babinski
Quotes:
“For parents of English language learners, make
sure the school understands how dedicated you are to your child’s
success from day one,” says Leslie Babinski, an
associate director of the Duke Center for Child and Family Policy
who has studied
“Parents should be sure to let the school know if they need an interpreter. The ESL teacher and the family liaison are terrific resources for parents. It’s important to get to know the school staff and be an advocate for your child.”
Bio:
Leslie Babinski is an associate director of the Duke
Center for Child and Family Policy and an assistant research
professor in Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy. She has
studied how teachers can enhance language and literacy
instruction for Latino English learners. http://childandfamilypolicy.duke.edu/people/profile/?t=faculty&p=lb107
For additional comment, contact Babinski at:
(919) 613-9296; leslie.babinski@duke.edu
—
Media Contact:
Amy Dominello Braun
(919) 681-8504; amy.d.braun@duke.edu
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Duke experts on a variety of other topics can be found at
http://newsoffice.duke.edu/resources-media/faculty-experts.
Note to broadcast editors: Duke provides an on-campus satellite
uplink facility for live or pre-recorded television interviews,
as well as a digital studio for interviews by Skype or Google
Hangout. We are also equipped with ISDN connectivity for radio
interviews. These services are usually available during normal
business hours. Broadcast reporters should contact Amy Braun or
Alison Jones, alison.jones@duke.edu, (919)
681-8052, to arrange an interview.
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