Parent Commitment
The at-home Componentis a requirement
It is a partnership — between the instructor, the child, and you. What happens inside the reading center is only part of what makes this program work. What happens at home is equally important.
We need parents to understand this clearly before enrolling: the at-home component of BCRA is a requirement, not a suggestion.
Why Home Practice Matters
A child who learns a phonics pattern on Monday needs to practice it before Thursday to retain it and apply it at the next level. Without reinforcement between sessions, children fall behind the pace of the lesson plan. When one student in a cohort falls behind, it affects the group. Our small-group model depends on every child being prepared for each session.
Research on reading development consistently shows that children make the most progress when structured instruction at school or a learning center is reinforced by consistent, supported practice at home.
What Is Expected of Parents
- Set aside time to complete the take-home materials with their child before the next session
- Create a calm, focused environment for at-home practice — even 15 to 20 minutes is meaningful
- Follow the guidance provided in the materials — you do not need a teaching background; the instructions are clear
- Communicate with the instructor if your child is struggling with the at-home materials so adjustments can be made
What Happens If Home Practice at Every Tier
Occasionally missing a practice session is understandable. But consistent failure to complete the at-home materials has real consequences for a child’s progress.
If a family is unable to maintain the home practice requirement on an ongoing basis, BCRA reserves the right to remove the child from the program. This is not a punitive policy — it is a practical one. A child who is not prepared for each session cannot keep pace with the cohort, and placing them in a group where they are falling behind is not in their best interest or the best interest of their peers.
A child can learn to read best with three things working together: the structure of the reading center, the willingness and attentiveness of the child, and regular, consistent support from the parents. Remove any one of those three, and the results suffer. We are committed to holding up our end. We ask that you hold up yours.
We Are Here to Support You
If you are struggling to find time for home practice, if the materials are confusing, or if your child is resistant to at-home work, talk to us. We will work with you. We want every family to succeed in this program, and part of our job is helping parents feel equipped and confident to support their child’s reading growth at home.
