Seeing “needs improvement” or “unsatisfactory” on a report card is disappointing. Imagine if that grade applied to you, from a teacher evaluating your parenting skills.
Earlier this year state lawmakers in Florida proposed a bill called “Parental Involvement and Accountability in Public Schools.” The purpose of the bill was to set standards of accountability for academic success for parents of students pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. For those parents of children ages pre-K to 3rd grade, report cards would include a grade of parental involvement as assessed by the teacher. Along with overall attendance and tardy rates, categories to be graded would include how well parents communicate with teachers, how they respond to requests for meetings, if their children are prepared for tests and have completed homework and if they are providing proper meals at home and ensuring their child gets enough sleep.
Some give it an A+
Those in favor of the bill say teachers can only be expected to do so much when it comes to determining how successful a student is in school. Parents need to be held more responsible for providing the home environment necessary to thrive. Children would benefit by parents having a clear set of expectations - and being evaluated on how well they are achieving these goals. Proponents of the idea feel this is in the best interest of the child and may encourage those parents who receive “unsatisfactory” grades to improve their parenting skills.
Others give it an F
Critics of the argument say that parents understand their children’s needs best and how they choose to parent should not be mandated by the government. Also, it is unfair to judge all parents on the same criteria. Families in which both parents work feel they will be found lacking in terms of how involved they are able to be at school when compared to families where one parent is at home and can volunteer in the classroom or organize school events. Others feel that in regards to older children, it makes more sense for the actual student to be held primarily responsible for his or her success rather than parents.
Ultimately, the Parental Involvement and Accountability in Public Schools bill in Florida didn’t pass.
It’s an interesting debate, however, with both sides having compelling arguments on how children are best served. It remains to be seen if the issue gains interest in the future in other states.
Column originally appears in Current in Fishers http://currentinfishers.com/
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