Classroom managment: high school students text messaging, disrupting class -- lenient teacher?

Question

My child's classroom is disruptive. Some students constantly disrupt class, throw paper wads, use cell phones, etc. The teacher is aware, but looks the other way. She is a nice person. Smart children want to transfer to another classroom. What should parents do?

Answer 1

Parent should try talking to the teacher first through a conference face to face or by email. Raise the concerns they have as reported by their students and see how the teacher repsonds. The teacher may be frustrated or at a loss about how to handle the behavior, since classroom management is the hardest thing for teachers to learn.

Answer 2

Parents need to speak with the teacher.....begin the conversation by saying "I have heard some things, and I'm unsure whether they're true or not, but let me share my concerns with you." Then, lay out your concerns for the teacher and listen to the response. Have to clearly let the teacher know that each and every child in that classroom is equal and if your child is being denied an education because of other students your child is being treated unfairly.
If more than one parent shares the concerns it will force teacher to admit that there is a problem that needs addressing. Give the teacher time to address and correct the problem. If that does not work take your concerns to the principal.
Teacher may be intimidated by the students or feel that it's important to be the students friend. Neither one of these is helpful to education.

Answer 3

First thing is try setting up a conference to discuss the situation with her. It's possible you aren't getting the whole picture just from what your child is telling you. I'm sure all of us remember exactly how much of the convenient truth we told our parents vs. what we left out. Get both side of the picture before doing anything else.

If you come out of a meeting with the teacher dissatisfied, contact their supervisor (usually the head of their subject department) or the principal. It's possible the teacher is intimidated by her students. Teenagers can be overwhelming.

It might also help to ask your child to set an example for others. (S)he doesn't have be a 'pet' and tell people to shoosh, but just not do what the other students do to disrupt the class. In other words, make sure your child isn't adding to an already chaotic situation.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Parents need to complain, at least to the teacher first. If that has already been done and nothing is happening the principal needs to be notified. There is no excuse for allowing disruptions that impede others learning, no matter how nice you are. As teacher's our first priority is to teach and allow students to learn....not to be nice.

Answer 5

teacher needs some more training on how to be less lenient on this, texting in class is a no-no.

Answer 6

i recently found out that cell phones have been banned from schools not just because of distraction, but because teachers think that kids will take pictures of tests and show other kids what's on the test. if parents are serious in their child's education--which they probably should be--they should confront the teacher and tell her about what's happening.

Answer 7

conference with teacher and principal
work on getting your child a transfer
the school rules should address these behaviors

Answer 8

1. go to the principal
2. tell him/her that this teacher NEEDS re-training in classroom management strategies
3. Be firm (your child's education is at stake)
4. ask for a transfer if there is no action after 2 weeks

Answer 9

they shud talk to the teacher(kinda parents & tcher meeting mybe) or personally..at least she tries to stop them from acting like dat..