How much involvement should parent have in child's writing assignments?

[exboyfil]

At least at the High School level input is solicted from peers and respected adults (including parents). Feedback could include a discussion of grammar as well as the structure of the writing and how the ideas are presented. I never viewed this assistance as being "cheating". The original work was the students, and the feedback is just suggestions that the student may or may not adopt.

I have been told that cheating can include "critiquing and proofing" a writing assignment. I think such actions represent the normal progression of a solid piece of writing. The learning experience involves the initial research and writing, and the subsequent review also serves to teach the student. How is a parent's involvement (or any other individuals) different than the input given in a writing lab for example? Do guidelines exist to specify the appropriate level of assitance on writing assignments at the college level?

In this case my daughter is a High School junior taking a college writing class.

[ejpoeta]

1. i could see proofing as a normal thing. maybe offering suggestions

but not to rewrite or edit it yourself. My daughter hasn't had too many papers as she is just going into 8th grade. When I was in college I would proofread my friends papers and offer possible suggestions for changes, but didn't redo their stuff for them. I would say it should be the same for help from anyone.

[madaboutharry]

2. I agree. I think proofreading and offering suggestions should be the limit.

Once it gets into major editing, then you are really not doing them any favors. Students need to go through the process of learning how to write well.

[knitter4democracy]

3. Critiquing and proofing can cross the line into cheating, sure.

If you end up re-writing her paper, make her change her writing voice, completely change her style of writing, etc., then that's wrong. If you catch a few mechanics errors and point out where she could strengthen an argument, then no.

[Reader Rabbit]

4. It's a fine line.

And it's not easy for parents to walk. They want to help their kid, but figuring out what kind of support helps and what will ultimately hinder the child down the line is a tough call.

I've definitely had students whose parents didn't help them at all, but I've also had students who basically wrote their children's papers for them. What I try to do in class, when I look at a child's rough draft, is point out where there are errors or weaknesses and then coax the student into correcting or improving their work.

The hardest part is convincing a child to make changes to what they've already written down. I've seen tons of final drafts that are almost exact copies of the rough draft. I'm sure this is something parents run into as well, and it wouldn't surprise me if this is where they might cross the line from helping to doing more.