Report Cards for Parents

A Florida State Representative has proposed a bill that would require teachers to grade parents. I have mixed feelings about this. I agree with teachers' concerns that having report cards for parents adds to the already overloaded workload of the teacher, but I really like the what State Rep. Kelli Starge says in the video, "Teachers are being accountable. We're holding students accountable. We're holding administrators accountable. This is basically the missing link."



Woo-hoo! At least someone is trying to find a way to hold parents accountable too. As I said in a previous post, "What about the parents!?!?" Parents (typically but not in all situations) are the constant in a child's life; ultimately it is the parent that set the standard for what is or isn't acceptable (not just in school but in life).

The suggested report card would grade parents on four areas: homework, attendance, good night's sleep, and the parent's communication with the teacher. More work? Yes. But not too much. Usually when you are filling out a student's report card you consider these things; attendance is usually on every report card as well as a section that asks the teacher to grade students on if they come prepared for class-meaning did the student complete their homework, do they have everything they need, are they well rested. That's three of the four right there.

My only complaint is the homework section. Some teachers give out way too much homework that is not realistic (see my post about homework). I think that all teachers should tell parents an appropriate time that students should spend on homework (for me that was 30 minutes to an hour on each assignment sent home, math and reading). If a parent notices their child spending more time than that they should stop their child and write the teacher a note (because after an hour working on something you are no longer productive and most likely just getting frustrated). This way I can do my job and help the student with areas they are struggling in. If this becomes the standard teachers could easily complete a report card for parents, capturing homework completion and communication.

This is an interesting idea and I'm glad someone is trying to figure out a way to hold parents accountable. I can see parents getting upset thinking they are being critiqued on parenting skills, but this report card does not grade parenting skills it grades parent involvement, things any parent can do to help their child in school (which some parents really need). Basically this is another document that teachers can use to let parents know how their child is doing in school and targeting things all parents can do to help their child.

Check out these videos:

Lawmaker wants to grade parents: MyFoxTAMPABAY.com

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Also check out change.org's report, parentdish's report, and a parental involvement report card by Project Appleseed.

What is the Point of Homework?

Why have it?

I have seen many teachers throw homework away after they have glanced at it.
Then why have it?

It's to assess the student. But I'm not sure if the student actually did it on their own, or if they had help from someone else so I can't actually grade it.
Then why have it?

It's to teach the student responsibility. But sometimes a student has family responsibilities that are more important (i.e. making dinner, putting his/her siblings to bed). Does this mean that your student is not responsible b/c they don't have time to do a worksheet that they know you don't always look at?
Then why have it?

As practice. But when they know you don't look at it, or they can get someone else to do it and you'll never know, is that the practice you want them to get?
So why have it?

This is difficult for me b/c I grew up in a world where homework was a must. School isn't school without homework. But now as a teacher, I can't justify homework. It just doesn't make sense to me right now.