​Each year the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is mandated to release a report on the state of education in the United States. The latest report was just released on May 26th and offered several eye-catching findings in regards to the private education sector.

The Connection Between Private Schools and Academic Achievement
Another key takeaway from this annual report is the direct correlation between private education and academic achievement. According to the report, a higher percentage (85 percent) of private school students had taken more advanced mathematics classes such as Algebra II and Trigonometry than students enrolled in public schools. The same could be said for science classes as private school students were more likely to have taken at least one credit in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics than public school students.

​With school officially out for the summer, some parents are feeling a little unsure about how they will keep their children entertained and engaged in learning over the next few months.

Here are 5 great parenting tips that will keep you proactively prepared and help your kids to have a fun-filled summer:

1. Ask for their input when making plans.
If you want your kids to cooperate, it can help to ask for their input when planning out their day. For example, if you need to make a trip to the grocery store and bring the kids along, ask if they would prefer to go to the pool before or after the trip to the grocery store. Also, consider giving them some of the responsibility of locating some of the items on your shopping list. Allowing your children to make contributions and decisions can help to empower them and minimize their urge to misbehave. Always reward good behavior with positive praise, and if possible, an occasional little treat like their favorite snack, ice cream or their choice of a movie.