I recently saw this article online and posted it to FB - I would like to have an honest and real discussion about parental involvement. Take a look and let me know what you think. Be honest and ready to have a good discussion.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/01/26/florida.grading.parents/index.html
2 comments:
Wow. I understand the importance of being a "good parent" and have always tried to be one, but I personally would not appreciate being graded by someone who has not spent time in my home and didn't understand all the circumstances of our family.
Plus, can you imagine the stress as a teacher?!? There are times I would love to tell a parent they need to step it up. I've also experienced the parent who's child was failing my class because,in his mind, it was due to the fact that I didn't spend enough individual time with their child. His nostrils were flaring and I was afraid he was going to come over the table at me! I don't think I would have liked to then hand him a report card slamming him because his kid NEVER had his homework done, never studied for an exam, set his own hours (no curfew... I saw the kid walking around town at midnight on a school night when I had to make an emergency trip to the pharmacy), and would literally fall asleep in class at least once a week.
Why is it we have to take classes and get a license to drive a car, but there are no requirements to have parenting classes or even take care of your child when you have a baby? It would be wonderful if we could teach parents how to BE parents, but having the elementary teachers grade them is not the answer in my opinion.
I disagree with this proposal on a number of levels.
First, parents are our students' first teachers. It is imperative for teachers and parents to work together in partnership to educate the students. In my opinion, this type of grading system only sets up the relationship between parent and teacher to be antagonistic rather than collaborative.
Second, whose grading scale is going to be used? Will a single mom be marked down because she is working two jobs and unable to volunteer at the school? And how will parents of unruly teenagers, who generally can't be forced to do anything, be graded?
Third, there is enough "mompetition" at some schools without grades being assigned. Seriously.
Fourth, what about cultural differences? In some cultures, it is considered rude to get involved with a student's schoolwork. The parents respect the teacher as a professional and consider the academic education of their child to be the teacher's "turf." You find this a lot in Hispanic families. The first question at parent teacher conferences isn't, "Can my son/daughter read/write/add/etc?" Instead, it is, "Does my son/daughter behave him/herself in class?"
What is needed for parents are opportunities to become educated about how to help their children succeed in school. Some parents genuinely don't know or understand what they need to do. Rather than judging them on their parenting skills, let's do what we say we are and educate those who need assistance.
Stacy
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