Would you take offense if the school system in the city you lived in graded you as a parent?

Question

The Board of Education in the city I live in - Manchester, CT - is trying to pass a resolution in which it would grade parents of the children in their school system. If passed, teachers would keep tabs on the parents in five different areas: homework, arriving to school on time, eating a good breakfast, being dressed appropriately for the weather and if parents are active in parent/teacher conferences.

Would you see this as pro-parent or anti-parent?

May I have your thoughts and opinions please (I ask here because I wish to receive answers/opinions from all different beliefs as they view education differently).

Answer 1

I have been a teacher for 26 years. There are parents who go out and party all night while their children roam the streets. They use welfare money to get nails or hair done.
They take the clothes we give their children, sell them, and buy drugs.
Little ones get themselves up in the morning. No one checks their homework. No one reads to them. No one tells them they are loved.
They come to school in shorts when it is 10 degrees outside.
They get younger sisters and brothers up and help them dress.
The only way we can get some parents to come to school for conferences is to promise the child a free ice cream or else offer a free meal to the parent. Even then, we have to schedule the meal AFTER a conference, or the parent would eat and leave.

Parents have said, "While he's at school, it's YOUR problem."

If more parents would only take an interest in their children, the education system would be much better off.

Answer 2

I understand the impulse. How well a child does in class is in large part determined by the parents and how much emphasis they place on education. I could tell you stories... but that's not the point. So, as I say, I understand why they're doing it.

However, since I'm a teacher, I rather naturally know quite a few teachers myself. I'm reminded, actually, of a line from the Bible - something about eyes, motes and beams. I think it's a very well-intentioned, very bad idea.

Answer 3

I think it's a great idea. Parents want a baby-sitter, a health-care system, a nanny, a governess--if they could they'd have the teachers delivering their kids to and from class, dressing them in the morning, and feeding them at night. All on the public dollar. If you are going to have kids you have to make some sacrifices. The schools are just that--schools. And they are doing a pretty poor job of just that, too! Let's not just make parents accountable for something--let's assess just how well they do the job of parenting! I'm for it 150%!

Answer 4

All the things that they are planning to "grade" parents on is actually part of a parents responsibility. Perhaps they will be reported to the local children/youth services if they aren't feeding their kids or having them dressed appropriately for the weather. It's not necessarily a bad thing since there are a lot of negligent parents but I can see how it could quickly spiral out of control.

Answer 5

I don't see this as pro parent or anti parent I see this a government agencies sticking their nose into places it does not belong.

My kids are honors students anyway without their grading system... it sounds to me like your schools may very well have some parent issues, but grading them isn't the way to fix it, I don't think.

Whew, I'd vote against such a controlling thing in a heartbeat.

Answer 6

Yes I would take offense. In fact, I did. The last time my son's teachers refused to work with me concerning the problems he was having in school and tried to place the blame completely on the type of breakfast he ate, his bed time, his homework etc., I took him out of school. If I was to be 100% responsible for his education, I would do it on my own terms :P

Answer 7

wow, how would they grade them? Tests? Home visits? I wouldn't see it as Anti-Parent b/c irrespective of the effectiveness of this survey I'm certain they are doing this for the well being and benefit of the children involved.

If I can test the teachers independantly as well and if the principal made herself available to all parents instead of acting like Queen Elizabeth in hiding I might be inclined to participate.

Answer 8

I have nothing to fear from a grading system. However, I think there should be another way. Lowering the parents' status to the same status quo of the children isn't conducive to their accepting authority. There must be a better way, other than "grading".

Answer 9

And what good is this supposed to do? What is the punishment for being a 'bad parent?' The school system takes your kid away? I think not.

I just dont see the purpose.

Answer 10

I would absolutely take offense to that. I did my time in school...that's all the grading I need to be put through.

It really peeves me that the government (including the schools) are so into our lives...this is supposed to be a free country...at least for those over 21.