I read recently that Florida representative Kelli Stargel has proposed a bill to allow parents to be graded on their involvement in their kids’ education. She feels that parents should be required to make sure their children get a good night’s sleep, arrive at school on time, and have their homework completed. In addition she thinks parents should be required to communicate regularly with the teacher.
My grandmother would call that “cutting off your nose to spite your face”. I call it a prime example of yet another “leader” going off on a wild goose chase. While the proposal might stir up controversy and publicity, it accomplishes nothing.
Parents who are already doing a good job of preparing their children for school don’t need a report card. They just need a little guidance in specific ways they can help their child be successful in my class. They might like a little encouragement and appreciation now and then, but any competent teacher is going to give that to them without a law requiring it.
Parents who don’t care enough to prepare their children in the most basic ways are NOT going to be intimidated by a piece of paper that says the teacher doesn’t think they are doing a good job. They are going to be angry and uncooperative and resentful. I understand the desire to make parents comply with educational expectations. Years ago I had a child who arrived for the first day of school on the bus. I did not meet his parents until November when I sought them out at a ballgame!! I have students now who are habitually late, fall asleep in class, don’t do homework, don’t return notes, etc. etc. My expectations and my opinions don’t mean two cents to their parents. So I simply return to my philosophy of doing the best I can for and with the students while they are in my care.
And what does Ms. Stargel propose as a consequence of getting a failing grade from the teacher?
This is all part of the “blame game”. It doesn’t help our children if the adults around them are busy pointing the finger of blame at each other instead of working cooperatively to find solutions for real problems. I propose Ms. Stargel spend some more time doing her homework.
Great observation, Mary.
This is just another example of people trying to legislate life. And, while it is a fact that many, many parents need to do a better job this is nothing new.
What ever happened to that "awful" system of "tracking"--taking those who are capable and want to learn as far as they can go, taking those who are not on grade level, evaluating, and providing remediation.
What is wrong with having different requirements for the different paths students choose to pursue. After all, we still have a need for competent workers in a variety of fields.
Our educational system should not ignore any group of students--high, average, or low ability. Yet, we are now focusing on those with the lowest ability and the least initiative at the expense of everyone else. A square peg never really fits into a round hole no matter how you whittle.
Oh, I could go on and on. Socialism is alive and well in our educational system and in America. Will we wake up before it is too late?
Posted by: Sue | January 27, 2011 at 06:33 AM