I'm a first year teacher. When I notice that a student is starting to fall behind in work or failing exams, etc., I send a note home that states what is going on. My school does not have progress reports, so this is not an option, and I have 120+ students to care for. I just had a few parent/teacher conferences where parents yelled at me for failing their children and said that I should have called them to tell them what was going on with their child. I was very upset about this, because I really do my best for each child, and I thought a note home about their progress would be sufficient. I realize some students may not give the note to their parents, but I feel like it is the parent's responsibility to check up on their child after school, not mine. I already work 14+ hours a day. I'm just wondering if other parents feel that these parents were justified in yelling at me for not calling them when I did send a note home about their child's progress.
2007-01-26 01:12:04 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
I teach high school mathematics.
2007-01-26 01:12:32 · update #1
I would love to send letters home...unfortunately, my district is very poor and rural. A lot of my students move once a month because their parents can't make rent or they walk around with duffle bags full of clothes because they might move that night, so it's impossible to get correct addresses. Also, a lot of them don't have running water, let alone internet access or email. I have given my email and phone to all parents. I sent it in a letter home at the beginning of the year and I did get that signed and returned from all students. It was a contract outlining the rules and procedures in my classroom and the students got a grade for bringing it back signed.
2007-01-26 01:35:05 · update #2
Concerned - I agree with you. I try not to overload my students with homework, because it wasn't long ago that I was a high school students and I remember the hours and hours of homework I was assigned. I only assign 6 or 7 math problems a night at the most and I usually do not assign homework on weekends or holidays. My goal is that they should do about 15 minutes of math practice each night and that's all. I feel it's important to practice their skills, but I don't want them to be burdened with hours and hours of busywork. That is unnecessary.
2007-01-26 01:44:31 · update #3
You're doing a fine job. To insure the parents see the notes you send home, require the student to return the note signed by a parent/guardian. Keep them in a file for the parent/teacher conference. If a parent starts yelling, show them the notes, and/or a list of notes sent and not returned. Some parents will still yell....they're unwilling to accept responsibility for themselves or their children. Be polite, but remember these kids really have limited potential. Keep your focus on the kids you can reach. The "No Child Left Behind" program is the worst idea to come along in a long time.
2007-01-26 01:35:49 · answer #1 · answered by Michael E 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
After reading your additional comments and emails are not available, require a signature on notes home and offer something as an incentive. Either no play time until it comes back with a parent signature and tell the student if they don't return the note the next day signed by their parents, you will have to call and require a conference with them.
Offer tutorials during recess or free period that is madatory for failing students.
For students who complete all their work, offer a reward of some sort. If all work completed that week, they can pick from a "treasure chest" or do some fun activity.
They should be yelling at their children for not being responsible.
As a mother, I have wanted to yell at teachers (I don't of course, I was a sub for many yrs so I understand) about homework. My girls have 3-5 hrs of homework most nights because all their teachers assign a bunch of homework at the same time. Then their projects.... its overwhelming sometimes. I have twins in 7th grade and a 6th grader. They love to assign a lot on wednesdays (church night). Schools should have a homework schedule, like math and science homeworks only assigned on mondays and wednesdays, social studies and english on tuesdays and thursdays. and or give their homework assignments for the entire week on monday and let the child work thru it at their own pace. Every monday the packet is due. and the packet should require a parents signature. Use a cover sheet summarizing all the assignments, a place for notes, a place for parents comments and if you want put their avgs if they are failing or about to fail...
to make it easier on you, have a school volunteer assemble the packets or have the students assemble it themselves. You pass out the coversheets and pass around a stapler.
You have your work cut out for you and you sound as if you are a very caring and concerned teacher. Take time to call each child's parents individually and ask them, if there is a problem you should know about.. ie. failing... what is the preferred method of contact? And require signatures on all notes going home. Some parents require their kids to babysit or do so many chores after school that they don't have time to do homework. You might investigate why the child isn't able to do it. Tutorials would offer a chance for them to get it done and bring up their grades.
2007-01-26 09:41:32 · answer #2 · answered by concerned 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Have you considered how you send those notes home? If you send them with the students, 99% of them will be in the trash before the kid leaves school! If you mail them, most kids get home and get to the mail before the parents do, and again 99% of the notes will be trashed! I know I would not have given my mom a note saying I was failing anything!!!!
Maybe you should consider getting the parents' e-mail addresses and e-mailing them. Or maybe you should consider calling them.
They were way off base to yell at you for not letting them know. At that point, I would have told them that I had sent a note home and asked them what they thought happened to it!
2007-01-26 09:23:57 · answer #3 · answered by startwinkle05 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
See if the parents have E-mail addresses, those that do, you can send your own progress reports.
Unfortunately, this is an issue I'm having with my daughters school. they have my e-mail address, phone numbers, etc. and they have a program to get in to the parents, but I'm not receiving anything. Every time I talk to someone about it, I will get 1 or 2 e-mails, but then nothing. Thank YOU for taking the time trying to get the info to the parents.
2007-01-26 09:24:07 · answer #4 · answered by sm177y 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ok well what you just have to do is tell them to sign it and bring it back the next day and if they do....reward them with a candy,or do a ticket system or a reward system or a free homework pass!
2007-01-26 09:22:04 · answer #5 · answered by david m 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They were wrong in yelling at you. I agree with rachal b. that they blaming you wrongly. You obviously are conciencious about your job or you would not be asking this question on this board. So I tip my hat to you.
2007-01-26 09:25:27 · answer #6 · answered by what? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are deflecting their neglect. Dont take it to heart. You have done your job. Be proud.
2007-01-26 09:17:15 · answer #7 · answered by Rachel B 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋