Parents and school involvement
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| Thu, 08-23-2007 - 8:49am |
My question stems from a personal experience. My middle child is starting kindergarten next week. I've become fairly close with one of my dd's friend's moms- this is her first child entering the school system. She WOH, I do not, plus I have experience with the school, so she's been calling me with questions and comments.
It started to go bad when she called to complain that the kindy orientation is during the day- when she is working. Then it led to complaints about the parents' read aloud program (when the kids are in library) and other opportunities for volunteerism in the school. I get that these things aren't convenient for her, but I'm getting annoyed with the complaining. How can the kids have an orientation at night when they go to school during the day? None of these events are mandatory for parents or kids. And plenty of activities are scheduled for evenings: Back to school night, the PTA picnic, etc.
She thinks because she can't participate, no one should be able to, apparently. Plenty of WOHP do show up for these things. I think she's being unrealistic if she thought she could put a couple of kids through school without ever taking a vacation day. Am I wrong? Am I missing something here?

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Would you like to debate the how the educational philosophies differ?
PumpkinAngel
Where did I say I didn't speak to teachers until my dd entered school? Have fun trying to find something that was never said,lol.
Rest assured, I am not worried about what you think. Asking a question more than once doesn't indicate that is the case.
This is as good a place as any to throw in some related, but not directly, information.
Did some superficial research on what teachers say they want from parents. It's always been my understanding that teachers WANT involved parents. And my research confirms that. I've also never thought teachers wanted the "in my face, susie can do no wrong, you need to do things my way" parent either. Again, the research confirms this.
Interesting tidbits that are somewhat relevant to this debate:
from http://www.publicagenda.org/press/press_release_detail.cfm?report_title=Playing%20Their%20Parts -- "As it is, only a third of teachers (34 percent) say the level of parents' attention to their children's education is excellent or good. "
"Most parents today (74 percent) say they do more for their child's education than their parents did for them, but about the same percentage also wish they could do more (71 percent)."
"The desire to expand parents' role in school management has inspired numerous "site-based management teams" throughout the country as well as part of the federal government's Goals 2000 platform. But most parents say they simply feel uncomfortable and unqualified to take on management duties. "I'm involved in my daughter's classroom, but choosing the topics, that's not my area," a New Mexico mother said. Given a choice of 10 activities they could do at school, parents are most likely to say they are very comfortable chaperoning a class trip or party (73 percent). Only a quarter (25 percent) say the same about helping plan curriculum. "
http://www.educationpolicy.org/EPIseries/parent-bklt.htm -- "Everyone agrees that for better or worse, parent involvement plays an extremely important role in the education of their children. Hardly a week goes by without another article encouraging "parent involvement" or citing the benefits of having parents participate in their children's education. Education and government leaders, teachers, and educational organizations all advocate parent involvement as a way to raise the level of student achievement. Clearly, many parents help their children succeed in school, and many more would do so if they believed that they could help their children learn more."
"The Association also believes that the community, parents, guardians, students, teachers, and educational support personnel must be effectively involved in designing programs to implement positive change.
Some suggested activities for parents include site-based, shared decision making in designing school facilities; and the development, implementation, and coordination of comprehensive school health programs."
Other interesting, related links:
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED434392&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=eric_accno&accno=ED434392
http://www.parent-institute.com/blog/?p=32
http://www.nasbe.org/new_resources_section/policy_updates/PU_Parent_Involvement_06.95.pdf
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-02-02-online-gradebooks_x.htm
"Do you really go inside the school for pick-up and drop-off?"
For the younger crowd (k-3) at ds and dd's school, it is standard procedure to go inside the school for pick-up and drop-off. In fact, it is strongly recommended by the school. Older kids usually go inside on their own. Is that so odd?
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