Are parents doing their part to ensure their children are successful in school?
A school board member in Manchester, Conn., wants to know. Steve Edwards proposed last month that the district issue report cards to parents, to gauge how well they support their children’s academic, physical, and emotional well-being, according to this story in the Hartford Courant.
The story suggests that Edwards’ proposal faces an uphill battle, and recounts the failed experiment with parent report cards in Chicago. But there is increasing recognition that what parents do, or don’t do, to help reinforce the importance of learning and working hard in school is often reflected in student achievement.
I have heard a lot of complaints from parents about teachers and school administrators not doing enough to help their children learn. But when these parents are asked what they’ve done to help the child and the teacher I often get a puzzled look.
If nothing else, parent report cards could wake some parents up to their role in their children’s school success.
Do you think parent report cards could help the cause?
