It is the end of yet another school year, and as some students are discouraged about their overall grade performance, it is important their parents help them get back on their feet before next year begins.

What some parents do not realize is the earlier students get behind, the harder it is for them to come back. For instance, if a kindergartener or first grader is not meeting his or her potential, he or she will find much harder to excel later on.

This is when adult involvement becomes important, as a parent can help turn around their children's academics, especially the at-risk student population. A new tool, TAF Instructional At-Home Plan, can help parents make this possible.

"Parent involvement clearly continues to be the most underused weapon in our fight to close the achievement gap," said Dr. Tanya Foster-DeMers, an award-winning teacher and president of TAF. "We can't afford to allow another school year to end with students not meeting academic standards. Our failure to act will also be their failure."