Opinion: The old-fashioned way wins one

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Parents’ involvement in schools makes a measurable difference in children’s achievement. We already knew that, but now we officially know it because some academics at the University of New Hampshire measured it.

What’s more interesting is which kinds of involvement make a difference. The trend in the last couple of decades has been for parents to show they care about education by volunteering in schools--sometimes making a virtual job. Though that’s helpful to the schools, it’s not as helpful to their children as a good old-fashioned family dinner conversation that touches on schoolwork.

Why is this not at all a surprise?