Parents Taking Charge in Education: Part VI.– Parents and Community: Your Stake in Society’s Most Precious Resource- Our Children by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Parents Taking Charge in Education: Part VI.– Parents and Community: Your Stake in Society’s Most Precious Resource- Our Children by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

As we continue with the discourse on Parents stake and/or role as it pertains to society’s most precious resource- our children, I will offer a couple of more thoughts and one additional example and conclude with the community’s stake.

5.   Deliberate measures incorporated to prevent parents from being involved- Educators and others often desire to involve parents when advantageous to their agenda and shut parents out when the opposite exists.

I will share another quick example which dispels the myth that impoverished parents do not care about their children’s education. I volunteered at a school which sat within a government housing complex and most parents were below poverty level. The school was a large brick three story building; during the winter, the temperature inside was below freezing; in the spring and upon return summer/fall, the temperatures often ranged from 100-110 degrees. The food within the cafeteria soured between it having been cooked and students’ consumption of it. Students unable to work were often slumped over desks from heat exhaustion; often, in winter hands were too cold and numb to hold a pencil. Books in the library were so old; they simply crumbled in one’s hands when handled. Once again to curtail a long story, the school board ignored the parents, students’ plight and school community when requested to hold school board meeting within the impoverished communities. The library books and a show and tell were publicly taken to an upscale school where the school board did hold school board meetings.

When the impoverished parents took to the streets outside the impoverished school to protest conditions, 1) the invited media in one instance after having noticed the goodly number of parents present chose not to cover the impoverished parents’ plight; they instead drove in the opposite direction; 2) parents names were taken down and they were threatened with eviction should they persist by the housing authority and 3) those who persisted in protest, some of whom did not live in government housing were offered well paying jobs to get them out of the school and preoccupied with a job.

6.   Parents, consider preparing yourself for a role in politics, whether on the school board or at one of three government levels. Individuals who usually have the greatest interest in children are those who actually have children at school age level.

The Community’s Stake

The community’s role can actually be described in two words: “Assist” and/or “Supplement” as needed. We know that parents cannot do it all alone when it comes to parenting and raising children, it takes the entire community’s involvement. We are also aware of the necessity at times for others to assume responsibility and authority as guardian or caregiver of others’ children, but if at all possible, attempt to keep the parent(s) actively involved. The community consists of family, extended family members, neighbors, and individuals and entities from the above mentioned sectors. We all can make a positive contribution regardless of how small.

When it comes to community’s involvement from schools, some schools should become more community orientated. I recalled one year when mostly homebound as a result of my bus accident and after having moved to Tennessee, I assisted a couple of students with their schoolwork. In an effort to adequately prepare to assist the students at that time, I needed to borrow a textbook; the students of course needed theirs. I called the local school and explained what I was doing and requested to borrow a textbook. First, I was given the run-around, told someone would check the school policy and get back with me. Not hearing from the school, I recalled a week or so later and was informed the school did not have any extra textbooks to lend out. Yet, we insist we desire parent and community involvement within our schools.

     

Parents, when all has been said and done, you remain ultimately responsible for your child/ren? While I may not always agree with some parents’ decision(s), I have come to respect the fact that the final decision of how a parent chooses to raise his/her child/ren and that parent’s selected educational setting (inclusive of the child’s needs and well-being) should ultimately be the decision of the parent. Society should be careful of removing parents’ authority while expecting those same parents to effectively parent their children.

Parents Taking Charge in Education’s goal with many of the posts leading up to today’s has been to get us to view some of the obstacles and challenges in an effort to get us (Parents and all those who have a stake in education and our children) to address these serious obstacles and challenges and move forward. Until we do, I am afraid we will continue floundering, spinning our wheels and going around in circles. Sometimes, the solutions are so simple we tend to overlook them. Thank you for your time and attention; this concludes our 6 Pt. Series- Your Stake in Society’s Most Precious Resource- Our Children.

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author

Parents Focused on Education at http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

E-mail: barron.Dorothy@yahoo.com

Jailing of Parents- School Involvement by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Jailing of Parents- School Involvement Issue by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Over the last two weeks, the subject of Parental - School Involvement has been the topic at Parents Taking Charge in Education Blog. We have looked at Ten(10) reasons why Parents are not involved in their children’s schools and/or education and Four(4) types of Parental - School Involvement. Perhaps, the aforementioned posts and questions below will provide thoughts for consideration when dealing with today’s topic, Jailing of Parents – School Involvement Issue.

The issue of possibly jailing Parents for not attending school conferences sped its way over and throughout the internet from various sources eliciting a range of emotions and comments. It appears that a Detroit prosecutor desires to initiate legislation to possibly jail a Parent who does not attend or hold a school conference with his/her child’s school(s) at some point throughout the child’s school year. *The link to the National Public Radio interview with the prosecutor and others has been listed, below.

We should also point out that having experience or expertise in one area or field does not automatically transcend into another field. 

Suggestions with extreme solutions or remedies for Parental involvement are not new; most are the result of attempts to garner attention and/or as the result of a high level of frustration. During the 1990s, in order to curb student school truancy, the law sought to fine Parents in such cases. If stats are correct, the present drop-out rate is higher and a national crisis. Now let us examine this jailing of Parents issue by asking a series of questions, which are:

Question #1- Why seek jail as the solution for parents who do not or choose not to attend or hold school conferences?

Question #2- On what legal ground (s) would you charge the parent(s)? With an already over-populated jail/prison system, where would you house parents; who then would be responsible for caring for the children, getting them to school, etc?

What would jailing Parents accomplish?

Ÿ  Chaos

Ÿ  An increased workload of present and often overburdened, ineffective legal and judicial systems

Ÿ  Antagonism and further alienation between parents and schools

Ÿ  Loss of work, wages and possibly the parent’s job

Ÿ  Possibly child endangerment charges or worse

Ÿ  Outraged parents and taxpayers

Question #3- How well do you understand the issues that involve parental - school involvement and/or lack of, our education system and schools?

Once, there was a teacher who continually bemoaned lack of parental involvement to me; one day, I simply asked her, how often she visited her child’s school? She was stunned; somehow, she did not think it applicable to her- a teacher. She never posed the question again, to me.

Question #4- What is the criteria for school involvement; what does such entail? Is school involvement a requirement for all parents; if so, how much?

Question #5 - what role do you play in supporting parents, education, schools, and ultimately, students?

Food for thought- Parents should be and many are responsible for their children, but, if we are busy mandating, legislating and eradicating Parents’ authority, how then can they become or continue being responsible Parents?

Special thanks to National Public Radio for permission to use the following link.

*National Public Radio. Schools Working to Increase Parental Involvement. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130979888 . 11/01/2010

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author

http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

The Four (4) Levels of Parental - School Involvement by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

      The Four (4) Levels of Parental - School Involvement by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

There is a distinct difference between being involved in a child’s education and being involved within his/her school. Although, and if you have a child in school, it is in the best interest of and beneficial to the child that you, the parent(s) get involved within the school. Today, we will look at and provide a brief overview of four levels of parental - school involvement and often the attitudes of parents at each level. The various levels of Parental involvement are as following:

Ø  Non-involvement Level- (Parents’ attitude- Don’t Call Me!) perhaps, the term appears contradictory in terms of being listed as one of four levels of parental - school involvement. Generally parents at this level do not visit or interact with their children’s school(s). For the most part, they show little to no interest in their children’s education. Repeated calls or notes are ignored and scheduled conferences unattended. There are two important facts to keep in mind; 1) even though non-involved, that parent or guardian was responsible for having enrolled the child in school and by law, he/she has certain rights of which the school must comply. So, even though viewed as non-involved, the parent remains involved, if from solely a legal standpoint. 2) You make a grave mistake dismissing or “writing a parent off” without attempting to obtain his/her reason(s) for non-involvement and/or fail to find a solution. Such is in the school’s best interest, because you will oversee and educate the child of that parent(s) for five to six years. I have personally witnessed parents who have gone from non-involved parents to supporters of the school and dedicated advocates for their children.

Ø  Involvement as it relates to the Child, but not necessarily the School- (Parents’ attitude- Call me only and when necessary). Parents at this level support their children, but may or may not be involved in their children’s education or school(s). They have clearly defined lines between parental responsibilities vs. those of the school and educators. They generally either have high expectations of the school or very little to none. Their role as they view it in education is to prepare and equip their children for school; they expect the school to educate their children. Under no terms, do parents at this level plan to do the educators’ jobs for them. They decide how, when and if necessary to involve themselves with the school. A parent at this level can become a staunch supporter of the school if involvement occurs on his/her terms.

Ø  Limited School Involvement- (Parents’ attitude- I will lend some support, BUT…) Parents at this level support their children, their children’s education and their schools. However, their volunteerism in and support of schools are limited. Precaution should be taken to insure that you respect their limitations of time and service in order to avoid the loss of their good will and support.

Ø  Fully Committed and Involved - (Parents’ attitude- I can help; I am willing, ready and able) Parents at this level are in for the long haul, generally from K-12; they get and remain involved. Schools count on these parents because they volunteer regularly and assist in numerous ways. They serve in various capacities within the schools and often become leaders of various school related organizations. Some sit school committees, attend school board meetings and keep abreast of legislation and policies that affect schools, education and children.

 I have shared with you on today what has led in my 16+ years of experience as a volunteer in our schools to view parental - school involvement at four levels; attitudes of parents at each level and generally what each level entails have been shared. Some may remain enmeshed in their perception(s) of what they think parents should be doing or face and accept the reality of what parents are actually saying and doing. I hope today’s post has shed some light on the subject of Parental-School Involvement.

Schools that are successful or most successful are those who have parental support within their schools.

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author

http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Why Parents are Not Involved or have Ceased to be involved in their Children’s Schools and/or Education by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Why Parents are Not Involved or have Ceased to be involved in their Children’s Schools and/or Education by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

        “Where my child goes, I go; you got my child, you got me”(Mrs. Dorothy Barron).

Do not assume that because a Parent is not in the school, he/she does not care about the child’s education. We use the term Parent(s), because the parent is ultimately responsible for his/her child, but the word can be applicable, here, to any caregiver that has the legal oversight and decision-making authority for a child. Parents are not involved or have ceased to be involved in their children’s schools and/or education for a number of reasons; ten have been listed for your perusal:

1.      Job-  the top priority for most parents range from putting food on the table to climbing the career ladder. The child is important, but takes second priority to the aforementioned. From another aspect, some parents have clearly delineated and designated roles(parents/educators)- their job is to parent and the educators’ job is to educate their children.

2.      Other Responsibilities- such can encompass a new baby, the care of elderly parent or others

3.      Unable to assist- aged, disabled, ill, not a daily part of the child’s life, institutionalized, homeless and in dire straits, multiple children in different schools or deployed and serving this country in the military prevents some parents’ involvement.

4.      Lack of education and/or knowledge- unfortunately and sadly, some parents in this category are stigmatized by those within our schools and Education System.

5.      Do not know how to assist- believe it or not, this was the number one reason for lack of involvement

6.      Composition of Head of Households- single parents, elderly grandparent(s), etc.

7.      Schools not welcoming, unfriendly and hostile- such can range from overwhelmed and frantically busy staff to deliberate attempts to prevent parents from coming into the schools.

8.      Conflict- when conflict occurs between a parent(s) and educators and remain unresolved, it is only a matter of time before that parent (s) will ceased to become involved with the school from the standpoint of a partner. Such often affects the atmosphere of the school and others parents as well. Others do not want to get caught in the middle of conflict and will avoid the school; most have enough conflict of some sort in their own lives and aren’t signing on for more.

9.      Lack of Enforcement of Parents Rights in Education- when parents rights have been violated from a legal standpoint in education, often very little to nothing occurs in resolving the offense(s). The situation becomes untenable, because even though much legalese has been written about Parents Rights in Education, practically no one insures that parents’ rights are upheld and enforced.  Numbers 8& 9 have been reasons in my attempts to pursue a legal career as an Attorney at Law(to no avail).

10.  No interest in Education- such may stem from the parent’s own school experience(s) and/or from one or more reasons listed above.

Whether you view the above reasons as being valid or invalid as to why parents are not involved or have ceased to be involved in their children’s  schools and education does not matter. What really matters is the reason(s) are valid to the parent(s). Therefore, PTA/PTO Presidents, Educators and/or anyone else desiring to get Parents involved in their children’s schools and/or education, you must begin exactly where the parent is and work from that point. Such involves a process and takes time and patience.

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author 

http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com