Lawmaker explains why teachers should grade parents

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Orlando Sentinel

As a state lawmaker interested in education reform, Kelli Stargel said she's heard a lot of discussions that come down to, "What about the parent?"

Schools and teachers can do only so much, she said, if parents don't make sure their children are in class and ready for academic lessons.

That's why she has proposed a bill that would require elementary school teachers to grade parents on the "quality" of their school involvement. A parent rating — satisfactory, needs improvement, or unsatisfactory — would appear on the child's report card.

The proposal is not meant to be punitive or intrusive, she added, but a way to prod parents to make their child's education a top priority.

Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-stargel-teachers-grading-parents-20110119,0,4725532.story

[Kennah]

1. Whether it's Pass-Fail, or A-B-C-D-F ...

... there are going to be a lot of F's.

[SharonAnn]

52. I think it would be good for parents to be accountable. That's all!

[Donnachaidh]

2. oh please, if a parent isn't involved you expect this ludicrous BS to work?

So when can the parents grade the teacher's for the *quality* of the education they are providing? While we've had a few truly wonderful teachers with my son, that amount of great teachers I can list on half of one hand.

We've had far more teacher's who were there for the benefits and the summer off. FAR more.

This proposal is nonsense, and a waste of time.

[mike_c]

6. as far as I'm concerned, any profession as grueling as teaching...

...needs SOMETHING beyond personal satisfaction to attract new professionals to the field. You're right-- the benefits are usually decent, especially for those with collective bargaining representation, and the academic calendar is very nice. But I can tell you from personal experience that summers are rarely "off"-- they're taken up with research, writing, planning and preparing for the academic year, training, and getting things done in our lives that couldn't be accomplished while working seven days a week during the academic terms.

I work with colleagues who do almost exactly the same kinds of research that I do, but who work essentially 9-5 jobs for federal and state agencies. I've often considered switching from the academic science side to the agency science side because regular hours is a powerful motivator, especially midsemester when I haven't had a day off in months or an evening or weekend that wasn't devoted to work in one way or another. In the end, I've elected to stay in academics at least partly because the academic calendar IS a wonderful benefit-- not because it's time off (it isn't, summer is often busier than the academic terms), but because it's UNSTRUCTURED. The nicest thing about summer is that it relieves the schedule regimentation of academic terms and give a sense of greater freedom. Whether real or just perceived, it's still a relief.

[callous taoboy]

37. Thank you, Mark. I concure.

[Atypical Liberal]

12. I'm convinced parents are far more important than teachers.

I used to be all for holding teachers accountable, until I shared a 7-hour plane ride with a teacher friend of mine. She pointed out, correctly, that you can have the best teacher in the world, but if the child is not motivated to learn, it won't make any difference. As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

The only people with the power to motivate children to learn are their parents. Yes, there are a few motivational teachers out there, but they are rare, and in any case I do not expect motivation from teachers. I expect them to provide the information in a reasonable, logical manner. They are the water. It is up to the parents to make the students drink it.

As John Ogbu pointed out, too many parents, particularly the African Americans in his study, saw the end of their parental obligation by simply making sure their children were "in the right schools". They did not, however, follow up outside of school to make sure their children upheld high academic standards. Other parents, however, took a more active role in their childrens' education, not only putting them in good schools but also making sure their children took advantage of it.

If parents don't make their children do homework, there is little a teacher can do. If parents don't insist on high academic standards, there is little a teacher can do.

Yes, there are bad teachers. I ran into one during high school who, my parents found out later, was in the job solely to raise money for her summer European trips with her husband. My parents, being actively involved in my education, saw to it that I was transferred to another teacher (despite the administrations claims that they couldn't do that sort of thing - they got it done). My average went from 77 to 98 in a matter of weeks.

Involved parents can overcome the odd bad teacher. But uninvolved parents will sabotage the efforts of even the best teachers.

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cleanhippie]

56. I think you need to become a teacher.

You will get a first hand look at the "benefits" and "summers off". It is not what you think it is. You are speaking from ignorance.

[Fearless]

3. Don't we do ENOUGH "grading"/testing/"evaluating" already? n/t

I say throw out all of it and build a model that doesn't punish students for socio-economic status (i.e. the ONLY roadblock to their learning other than our concentration on summative assessment.) If the point is student learning why don't we stop playing the blame game, assess progress instead of proficiency summatively and assess proficiency instead of progress in a formative way, instead of the other way around like we do now.

[blackspade]

4. an excellent idea.

These school 'reform' idiots should be looking at parent data as well as that of teachers and students.

[DirkGently]

5. Not a bad point, but teachers & parents need to be united vs. corporate interests.

Both teachers and parents (not to mention students) have responsibilities in the process of education. The sudden onslaught of demonization of teachers and teachers' unions is not about that, and it's not driven by angry parents. It's driven by for-profit "educators" and their allies in political leadership, looking for a way to further dismantle public education.

[DesertDiamond]

7. BRILLIANT!!! Let's do it!

[Dappleganger]

18. Do what!!!

Seriously, teachers don't need to be "grading" (policing/tattling) on parents when they have enough on their plates as it is. I am sick of these bullshit artists who want to make up more rules while taking away resources from teachers on a daily basis.

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. I agree. I won't grade parents until they get me a better computer.

:)

[Dappleganger]

28. Well then...

you'll probably retire before that ever happens, LOL!

[cleanhippie]

57. Huh?

What are you going on about?

A simple checkmark on the report card indicating the level of parental involvement would in no way affect the workload of the teachers or take away resources.

[tinymontgomery]

80. I agree

teachers don't need to be "grading" (policing/tattling) on parents when they have enough on their plates as it is. Only parents have the time while working and attempting to raise their children to "grading" (policing/tattling) on teachers" on a daily basis.
I could whip out an end of grading report in about 10 minutes, just like a parent can. Nobody says it has to be complicated. Here 5 quick question that could be graded. How often did the student miss school or check out early, did parent follow up, ( we had a parent that would have rather have her child take a 3 day suspension then have her cell Phone taken, another whose mother is a counselor in the school had her child for using her cell phone in school, mother calling student, then blames the teachers for taking her on to many field trips, the mother could have said no).

Do you ensure your student does the assignments given.

Have you ever visited the teachers web site to see what is required or assignments given (if you don't have internet the ask the kid).

Did the parent ever contact the teacher after a progress report that should poor performance (or return the phone call that was left on you machine)?

Maybe I didn't hit 5 but you get my drift.

I know, everyone attacks my grammar etc. Think about my grading ideas and get off the mistakes I make at midnight trying to get this out before the thread disappears down the black hole.

(always open to constructive criticism for making my grammar better)

[harun]

8. Who ends up with the worse God complex, Doctors or Teachers?

It's a close call, no doubt.

[BadgerKid]

14. Or politicians.

Tough call. It depends.

[harun]

30. They have both beat, easy.

[theaocp]

15. or perhaps ignorant posters at DU? Who can say? n/t

[callous taoboy]

41. Right on!

[proud2BlibKansan]

46. +1

[Codeine]

23. In other words

"take all of our ignorant and uninformed abuse and never seek to defend yourself in any way or we'll lash out like frightened children."

[callous taoboy]

40. Understand FAIL> Bye

[woodsprite]

9. My guess is this goes right next to the obesity grade. n/t

[Xithras]

10. Bad idea

While I can appreciate the sentiment, I can't imagine that parent/teacher relations will be improved much when the parents see that the teacher has rated them "Unsatisfactory". One of the quickest ways I know to spark a fight is to accuse someone of being a lousy parent to their kids. If you look at the OP, the grade isn't for classroom involvement, but for general parenting abilities...feeding your kids properly, getting them to bed on time, etc.

Mandating grading like this will simply polarize people and close off communication.

[Plucketeer]

16. You're SO right about this!

And of course, if there's anything a teacher needs, it's one more task to perform along with all the other crap they're saddled with! As long as DOOFUS Duncan and the community organizer approach schools with the notion that one kid comes to school on the SAME footing as every other, there's gonna be an abjectionable rate of failures and dropouts. If it's assumed that the TEACHERS are the only variable to deal with, that just proves the ignorance of the assumptor! With an economy in shambles, with schools losing revenue in landslide fashion, to go after teachers is a fantasy cure. You have to remember - there's more parents to cast votes than there are teachers. Which group would a candidate pander to???



GOP JOBS PLAN

[callous taoboy]

42. Not necessarily-

I've been at this for 17 years, and I have point blank told parents in private conferences that they need to get it together. I don't say it exactly like that but I see improvement every time following such conferences.

[cleanhippie]

58. Disagree.

A parent that gets an "unsatisfactory" mark on their childs report card is ALREADY in a poor relationship with their childs teacher and school. It means they are not involved.
That also in no way indicates that they are a "lousy parent", just not involved in their childrens education.

[Xithras]

75. Reread the article in the OP

The grade being discussed is for things like feeding your kids properly, or getting them to bed on time. Most parents are going to take that as a judgement of their parenting skill in general.

[cleanhippie]

77. Yes, that IS too much.

I would certainly support a "general" category of parental involvement, that the teacher gives.

[midnight]

11. I wonder why parents can't count on teaching and homework time going on at school...

If schools suspect there is not adequate supplementation going on at home..... Add after school resources for students that might/could benefit with this enrichment.... Not all parents can teach the skills that are being required at school... And have fun with education..... Less on grading and more on learning....

[Atypical Liberal]

13. Parental involvment is essential.

If schools suspect there is not adequate supplementation going on at home..... Add after school resources for students that might/could benefit with this enrichment.... Not all parents can teach the skills that are being required at school... And have fun with education..... Less on grading and more on learning....

It's not a matter of resources at school. It's a matter of motivating the students. Most students are not self-motivated to excel academically. Teachers are not empowered with the authority to punitively motivate students. Only parents can do that.

The problem is, as John Ogbu found, that many parents want to take a "hands off" approach to their child's education. They feel that by simply sending their children to the good school, that they have discharged their obligation. Yet those parents' students continued to do poorly. The reason is simple: If parents do not demand academic excellence from their children, which they do by being actively involved in their child's education, rewarding good behavior and punishing bad, then those children will not be motivated to do well academically.

You can make schools veritable shrines of education. You can have unlimited resources and the best teachers. If someone is not motivating the student, they won't do the work, and they won't perform well academically.

[Fumesucker]

19. How do you go about motivating another person?

IMO it's not possible in all cases to motivate another person to do something.

I'll use my own example, for social reasons I *hated* school although I was at one point two grades ahead of my cohort, nothing my parents did made me like school one iota better. I have always enjoyed learning but school was just sheer damn misery, I have learned far more over the years outside of school than I ever did in it.

Then I ran into a similar problem with my own child, she didn't have the social problems I did, indeed she was something of a social butterfly, but she simply would not get good grades in all classes no matter what I and her mother tried, threats, bribes, cajoling, none of it worked, just like it didn't work for me thirty years before.

I've seen it among friends kids too, the same parents can have two kids, one is an excellent student and the other, while being just as bright, is anything but a good student.

Some people just don't push well at all and with a lot of folks it starts very early in life.

[Atypical Liberal]

33. Parents can motivate their children.

How do you go about motivating another person?

All people are different. I had a best friend who was motivated simply out of fear of disappointing his parents.

Myself, I was motivated because if I did not get As and Bs on my report card, I was punished.

IMO it's not possible in all cases to motivate another person to do something.

Well I hate to break it to you, but that's pretty much what parenting is all about. :)

I'll use my own example, for social reasons I *hated* school although I was at one point two grades ahead of my cohort, nothing my parents did made me like school one iota better. I have always enjoyed learning but school was just sheer damn misery, I have learned far more over the years outside of school than I ever did in it.

To be sure, motivating someone to do well at school is not the same thing as making them like it. As I tell my kids all the time, "You don't have to like it. You just have to do it."

Then I ran into a similar problem with my own child, she didn't have the social problems I did, indeed she was something of a social butterfly, but she simply would not get good grades in all classes no matter what I and her mother tried, threats, bribes, cajoling, none of it worked, just like it didn't work for me thirty years before.

I see mention of threats, bribes and cajoling, but no mention of actual punishment? Surely you followed up with your threats?

I've seen it among friends kids too, the same parents can have two kids, one is an excellent student and the other, while being just as bright, is anything but a good student.

Some people just don't push well at all and with a lot of folks it starts very early in life.

I was the same way. I dug my heels in and always pushed the envelope. But my life quickly got very miserable if I did not do what my parents demanded. Instead of playing, I was sitting with a tutor. I'd lose toys and privileges.

[krabigirl]

49. I agree. Maybe they also should hold back kids who are failing.

[Dappleganger]

17. Let them just TRY to grade me!

I will be so far up their asses they'll have wished it was the 2nd coming already.

[Still a Democrat]

22. Employees don't appraise their employers

Talk about chutzpah.

[Dappleganger]

29. Well said.

[Freddie Stubbs]

32. Public school teachers are employees of the school district, not the parents

[FBaggins]

84. And corporate employees work for the company...

...but that doesn't mean that the shareholders aren't indirectly their employers.

It sure as heck doesn't mean that they don't work (at least indirectly) for the company's customers.

County employees do not report directly to the taxpayers... but they most certainly are employed by them.

[Codeine]

53. Teachers do not work for you.

I'm not sure where that notion arises.

[Still a Democrat]

65. I've commented to perhaps three in conferences that they did

and none disagreed. They're public servants.

[cleanhippie]

61. This is not an employer/employee relationship.

Never has been, never will be.

[boppers]

82. My company has it's employees grade it all the time.

It's been repeatedly named one of the best companies to work for in Oregon.

[FBaggins]

85. 360 feedback is a grand idea.

But you don't have them grade the shareholders, now do you?

[Codeine]

24. And yet you'll grade them and question and second-guess everything they do

I'm sure.

[callous taoboy]

43. That, and did you catch the hostile tone, Codeine? Sounds like

that is one parent that would be just a joy to work with.

[Dappleganger]

72. I am a joy to work with.

Read my post below. I let the teachers do their job and support them in any way they ask as a volunteer. But whatever that comment from codeine was, I am sure it wasn't helpful. I put him on ignore a very long time ago for good reason.

[Codeine]

81. Whoohoo!

I'm on another ignore list! :woohoo:

[FBaggins]

86. If they were with my kids several hours a day?

You're darned right I would.

Not "everything they do" of course... but I most certainly would form an opinion re: whether I thought they did a good job.

Wouldn't you?

[FromNY]

25. Angering Parents - No Problem, Right?

This is what I was thinking as soon as I read this.

Even given today's confrontational climate, I'm sure there would be no repercussions for dissing a parent...even if they're a gang-member.

[callous taoboy]

44. Do you teach? Didn't think so. I have confronted parents of students

about the 4 main areas this lawmaker is targeting and I have yet to have one parent get "angry" with me. I've had to remind hundreds of parents during the course of my 17 years as a public school teacher that in order for me to help their children be successful I need, bare minimum, help from parents in the 4 areas that this lawmaker is targeting.

[Atypical Liberal]

50. Good for you!

I'm glad to see you putting parents on task!

One of the big problems busing students all over town caused is it destroyed PTAs. Parents do not want to work all day and then drive an hour across town for a PTA meeting and then an hour back again.

I think a close parent-teacher relationship is essential to the optimal educational experience. I can't wait until my kids get in school so that I can work closely with their teachers. I'm excited that in this modern era we have things that we did not when I was a kid, like email, so that teachers can communicate with parents like me instantaneously if they need to. I want to support my kids' teachers with whatever support I can give them.

[callous taoboy]

54. Thank you!

[Atypical Liberal]

34. That's exactly the problem John Ogbu came up against.

John Ogbu did a study of affluent African American families who moved into the Shaker Heights neighborhood so that their children would have access to the best education. Yet their children still did noticeably worse than the white students in the school. John Ogbu found that this was because the African American parents had a different concept of how to educate their children than white parents. They saw the limit of their responsibility as simply having put their children in the good school, while white parents took a more active role outside of school, making sure academics were a priority at home, too.

When Dr. Ogbu pointed this out, of course the African American parents' attitude was just like yours. No one likes having their deficiencies pointed out.

[callous taoboy]

47. They may not like it initially , but in my experience as a teacher

once they see their children improve because of small changes they've made (because I intervened), they appreciate it later.

[Dappleganger]

70. MY attitude?

You have no knowledge of my personal attitude towards the education of our children, yet you make such a sweeping judgment.

[Atypical Liberal]

74. Just judging your attitude based on what you wrote.

I'm just judging your attitude based on what you wrote.

"Let them just TRY to grade me!

I will be so far up their asses they'll have wished it was the 2nd coming already."

You seem to take offense at the idea of a teacher critiquing your parental involvement with your child's education.

If I've misunderstood what you wrote I apologize.

[Dappleganger]

79. I take offense at the STATE telling teachers what to do!

And they in turn, getting into my business. Teachers have too much on their plates already as it is with little to no resources to do it. I am also doing my job, tyvm.

Thanks for the apology. :)

[cleanhippie]

60. What the hell does that mean?

If your child brought home a report card with a checkmark in the "unsatisfactory" box of Parental Involvement, you probably would not do a damn thing, as you, wait for it....ARE NOT INVOLVED.

If you saw a "needs improvement" you would ask the teacher, "What the Hell?" and they would explain to you WHY. Other than that, what COULD you do? Please, explain what "I will be so far up their asses they'll have wished it was the 2nd coming already." means anyway.

[FBaggins]

87. Your scenario assumes that the teacher's grade is accurate.

It looks like parents are graded for whether their kids are prepared for tests. What keeps a poor teacher (let us not pretend that they don't exist... just as we can't pretend that awful parents don't exist) from grading the parents of any failing child as unacceptable in that area? You can then look at my statistics to show that the kids of the "good" parents do well on the tests and the parents of the poorly performing students aren't doing their job. It's magic!

[Llewlladdwr]

64. This could be a LOT of fun for parents.

I know if I received anything other than the highest mark available I'd be standing on the Principal's desk demanding to see their documentation for a less than stellar review. Might even threaten 'em with legal action. Good times...

[Dappleganger]

71. Exactly!

Hey, we have four children ages 19, 17, 14 and 13. We homeschooled when they were younger (yes, I have a degree in elementary ed.) We put them all in PS when we moved down her to NE FL (decent school system). I have been on SAC (parents and teacher's group) ever since they enrolled, each level (elementary, middle and high school). Developed and taught the artist-of-the-month series for 6 years, until the youngest was out of elementary school. Tutored reading with ESL students, and taught our oldest daughter how to do the same. I taught each of our children how to read before they went to school. We supplemented their math on daily basis with Singapore math workbooks (including additional word problems). The younger kids always have had a strict accountability with me in regards to grades, projects and behavior. Their teachers love me because I support THEM--if our child acts up, their teacher never has to worry about me being that parent who second-guesses what they do to correct the situation. My kids know they will catch hell if they give teachers a problem.

I do my fucking job and love it, but if anyone thinks they have the right to "grade" me on how well it's done I will tell them to go to hell. They need to concentrate on doing THEIR job in school and keep their nose out of me doing MINE.

[woo me with science]

20. Ohhhhhhhh boy....

Sometimes you almost wish they would stick the fork in the toaster, just so you could watch the explosion of dumb.

:nuke::nuke::nuke: :wow:

[RainDog]

21. they should also grade the state in which they teach

1. does the state provide health care for parents and children, no matter their income level?

2. does the state make sure parents and children have food to eat, if corporations do not have enough jobs for those parents? or those jobs do not pay living wages for the area in which people live?

3. are there affordable housing arrangements for people in that state?

4. do the state's politicians encourage stupidity by refusing to accept basic concepts of biological science, thereby making it harder for teachers to do their jobs?

5. does the state pay teachers a competitive salary so that educators are encouraged to teach?

why not - why is it only the individual who is expected to meet expectations - why isn't the state also held accountable for their policies in regard to educating and insuring the health and safety of the children who reside there?

[proud2BlibKansan]

27. A+

I'm grading your post. :hide:

[raccoon]

31. My gosh, where do you think we're living--Norway?

Seriously, great post. :hi:

[Dappleganger]

73. Well said...

it kills me that teachers are given so many "mandates" then have absolutely no resources to do what they want to do, which is TEACH.

More funding is being pulled daily from all of the government programs which help kids and their families.

[southerncrone]

76. Your grade = A+

Extra points for critical thinking. :think:

[No Elephants]

35. Hey, Stargel, grade this!

[callous taoboy]

45. Care to elucidate?

No Elephants I've read many of your posts and find this one to be uncharacteristically abrupt.

[cleanhippie]

62. Wow, such an eloquent and compelling argument.

Please, do go on.

[Llewlladdwr]

66. I can't speak for No Elephants...

but I have a real problem with the Government issuing an official document declaring me a crappy parent. The school better have logbooks or memorandum or some kind of documentation other than 'the teacher feels this way' or I'd most definitely threaten legal action. Can you imagine how something like this could be used in a custody fight?

[cleanhippie]

78. Perhaps

But I think that the general category of "parental involvement" would be ok. It certainly IS subjective to the teachers point of view, but then again, arent THEY the expert in determining that?

Parents could take an unsatisfactory or needs improvement mark as "homework" and go talk to the teacher and discuss it. i would think that only the parents who really DONT have involvement would get that kind of mark, no?

[callous taoboy]

36. I just sent a student home for falling asleep in class.

Her home life is absolute chaos, and she was asleep at her desk when I checked to see how she was doing on a reading benchmark test that she missed yesterday because she stayed home with a "hurt leg."

This is an excellent move.

[callous taoboy]

39. Then let's publish their names in the local paper.

:smoke:

[krabigirl]

48. Horrible idea. My parents weren't involved..never volunteered, etc. I got straight As.

I also never wanted homework help. So they would have given my parents an f i guess...what would have been the point? To punish the parents of self-motivated kids?

[davsand]

51. Too many parents think that education goes on only in schools.

Sorry to buck the trend here, but I honestly think too many parents think that kids only learn in school, and the it is the sole responsibility of teachers to teach their kids. I know I'm gonna be unpopular for saying it, but that is complete crap to abdicate that responsibility to anyone. It is MY job as a parent to provide ample opportunities for my kid to learn--be it by helping her with homework here at home or taking her to museums on weekends and on vacations. It doesn't have to cost a lot of cash, nor does it need to take a lot of time--some of our best learning time has been during car rides!

Many years ago, when our daughter was around three, she stayed with a lady who had her own child at home. She was a very nice lady who has several kids of her own, who absolutely loved my kid. It was an ideal situation for us, and our daughter benefited a great deal from the arrangement. One thing that I did notice, however, was that the baby-sitter's kids were not the most academically inclined.

Our daughter was starting to actively learn her letters and colors at that point, and one game we'd play in the car was to look for letters and colors while we were in the car. To give an example, a construction cone is orange, and it is shaped kinda like a capital or "big" A. One day my kid was in the car with the babysitter and she spotted a "big orange A" and she told the babysitter about it. The babysitter was completely baffled by that and asked me about it that afternoon when I went to pick up my kid. I explained the game and the babysitter was completely floored by the whole idea.

Similarly, we took a weekend trip a few weeks later and we made a stop at a hands on kid's museum geared to introducing science concepts to the younger set. When we were picking up from the babysitter that following Monday, the babysitter asked about this place our kid had been telling her about visiting. We explained it was a museum for kids and she made the comment that she'd never taken her kids there--it hadn't occurred to her...

We still do stuff to introduce new things. I took my kid to the Supreme Court to hear the oral arguments on a case I was involved in. I let her take a day off school for that trip, and she sat with me in the gallery for the hearing. I introduced her to the attorneys that had appeared that day, and we walked around in the building. She went back to school and told her teachers about going to court with her mom.

I make family meals out of foods from other cultures and countries. I'll grant you it isn't always a hit, but it is something new...

We used to do experiments (By the way, do NOT ever do that volcano thing with the baking soda and vinegar in the house. That reeks, and your whole house will reek for quite a while after. That is a YARD or outside thing!)



I'm not saying that you, as a parent, have to be your kids' sole teacher, but I do think that the parents need to show an enthusiasm for learning, and an interest in new stuff. My husband and I both are lifetime learners, and we have tried very hard to instill that same curiosity and enthusiasm in our child. We have tried to provide a rich environment for her, and I think it will pay off for her in the long run.




Laura

[cleanhippie]

55. That is EXACTLY what is needed!

Parental involvement IS they key to a successful education. To place the full blame on anything else is disingenuous and intellectually lazy.

[Akoto]

59. Real morale booster for the single parent working three jobs. n/t

[cleanhippie]

63. Its life.

Taking care of your children is a priority. We choose to have them, so we must care for them.

[totodeinhere]

67. If that single parent doesn't want their children to be in the same situation they are in,

then they need to find a way to help their children with their education. It might take a lot of sacrifice, but it needs to be done.

[AngryAmish]

69. We don't want to hurt their precious feelings

Do you really think having hurt feelings is bad if one is doing a bad job of parenting?

[musiclawyer]

68. Parental expectation is everything

Studies left and right have the evidence, regardless of socio-economic

This is why I get infuriated when politicians try to blame teachers and schools for poor performance. If a state wants top notch performance, then it needs to encourage, in this order

1. Instruction in secondary schools about the obligations of parenthood ( along with relationship ands sex ed) This might help kids not have kids

2. Mandatory instruction for all parents with kids entering schools

3. free child health care

4. Free food ( real food--breakfast and lunch ) for underprivileged kids

5. head start programs

6. Good teachers.


7. Acceptable and reasonalble national standards

8. Integrated altative secondary schooling for those not interested or capable of performing college level work.


Do this and you might see signifiant performance gains in underperforming schools in a generation. That's about as much as one could hope for.

[Reader Rabbit]

83. I'd probably have given an "F" to the parent who called me a "rag-head," and...

...whose son later threatened a girl with a knife.

But that's just me. I'm a bit of a hardass when it comes to grades. Tough love, you know.