There's a thin line between helping with homework and completing it for your child. Just doing it yourself may be the easy way out, but it's not the best solution to the problem.

"Sometimes, parents think helping their child complete their homework, or even doing their child's homework for him, will help him achieve better grades in school," says Judy Hennessy, Murfreesboro's (Tenn.) Sylvan Learning Center director.

"Often, it's just the opposite, creating a situation where children have not learned the concepts they are later tested on in the classroom."

In complete agreement is Nancy Duggin, owner of the educational consulting firm ASK (Adaptation of Skills & Knowledge) Associates in Murfreesboro.

"Be available to provide assistance and answer questions," she suggests. "However, you should never do your child's homework."

So how can parents ensure they're being helpful and not harmful? Duggin and Hennessy offer the following tips.

KNOW YOUR CHILD

There are visual, auditory, and haptic learners. Know which your child is.

Make time for reading each night and review previously studied material that has been challenging for your child.

SET PRIORITIES

Make school and learning a priority in your home. "Help your child understand that the work of childhood is getting an education," Duggin says.

CREATE A HOMEWORK ZONE

Set up an area in your home for studying, complete with a dictionary, paper and pens. Make sure the area is free from potential distractions and that study tools are at your child's fingertips to keep him focused on homework.

DEVELOP CLASS FILES

Develop a color-coded file for each of your child's classes. Make separate tabs for homework assignments, exams and projects, so your child can refer back to class materials when studying for comprehensive tests.

SET GOALS

Help your child set attainable goals for each class and help her identify what will need to be done to reach each goal. For example, to get an A in American history she will need to turn in all her homework and participate in class.

SET WEEKLY MILESTONES

For big projects or exams, get a large calendar for your child's desk area and help him set short timelines to ensure projects and study aren't left until the night before. Celebrate with your child when each milestone is met.

HIRING A TUTOR

And if your child is having difficulty in any subject, contact a tutor.

Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List, a provider of consumer ratings on local service companies, suggests that parents make assessments before school starts. "That way, when school begins, they're ready to hit the ground running."

A recent poll of 1,090 Angie's List members revealed that one-in-four children have had a tutor and one-in-three will hire a tutor, Hicks says.

Before hiring a tutor, check the tutor's credentials, contact references and interview the tutor with the child present.

"When it comes to hiring a tutor, you need to meet them and your child needs to get along with them," she says. "The key is finding the right match for you."

MORE TIPS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION